Israel's Vital First Strike

One surefire way to avert a nuclear holocaust.

If you were a Jew in Europe in 1941, and you actually knew that Hitler was developing the means to carry out his threat to exterminate the Jews, what would you do? Dismiss the danger as overstated? Try to arouse the nations of the world to stop him? Or take upon yourself to employ every means possible -- both physically and spiritually -- to avert the catastrophe?

If you are a Jew in 2007, and you actually know that Ahmadinejad is developing the means to carry out his threat to exterminate the Jews of Israel, what will you do?

This is the most pressing question of our times.

The Jewish people today faces the greatest threat since the Holocaust. Islamofascism, which up to now has satisfied its murderous zeal with bus bombings in Israel and synagogue bombings in France, with beating up hapless Jews in London and New York, is soon to acquire a nuclear bomb.

"When someone says he is going to exterminate you, believe him."

Would it really use it to destroy Israel and its people? Despite the wishful thinking of those pundits who assure us that Iran would never push the button, every thinking Jew should take seriously the statement quoted by Benyamin Netanyahu in a recent CNN documentary on the threat of Islamofascism. Mr. Netanyahu had asked a survivor what he had learned from the Holocaust. His reply: "When someone says he is going to exterminate you, believe him."

THE THREE-PRONGED APPROACH

In Caroline Glick's article "Wake Up, Jews!" Ms. Glick eloquently described the threat from Iran and argued that Israel should take radical measures, including planning a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, toppling the Iranian regime, and Israelis taking to the streets to force our government into action. "In a few months," Ms. Glick writes, "Iran may well be in possession of nuclear weapons which it will use to destroy the Jewish state. With the US withdrawing from the war and Israel in the hands of incompetents, the time has come for the Jewish people to rise up."

Ms. Glick is correct in everything she said, but I was troubled by what she didn't say. A Jewish response to the threat of nuclear extinction that includes only physical (political and military) solutions but omits spiritual solutions is doomed to failure, just as a test with 50% correct answers merits a failing grade.

When the Patriarch Jacob and his family faced the danger of being slaughtered by Esau, who was rapidly approaching with 400 armed men, Jacob responded in three ways: he sent gifts to Esau; he employed strategy by dividing his camp into two; and he prayed.

Nachmonides, the 12th century Spanish sage, wrote that Jews must employ this triple approach throughout the ages whenever danger looms:

1. Diplomacy
2. Military strategy
3. Spiritual response

According to Rabbi Asher Weiss, Jacob's "prayer" includes both prayer and teshuva, which he defines as changing one's actions in order to come closer to God.

SPIRITUAL CAUSALITY

Many Jews equate spiritual response with "doing nothing." They fail to realize two of the most important principles underlying existence: 1) that the spiritual dimension is real and 2) that the spiritual dimension is causal.

The spiritual dimension includes God, souls, and spiritual forces. The materialistic approach to reality, which co-opted the Western mind over the last three centuries, believes that only the physical dimension is real; if something can't be seen, touched, or detected by scientific instruments, it doesn't exist.

Everyone who loves knows that this is untrue. We know that, even if neurobiologists can locate the site in the brain associated with feelings of love, love is a spiritual force that overrides the most basic physical instinct of self-preservation. And we recognize other attributes of the soul -- courage, devotion to truth, and the search for meaning -- as real, despite science's inability to measure them.

Yet even many people who believe in the existence of God fail to understand that the spiritual dimension is causal. The universe, like any well-run corporation, operates by a chain of command from above to below.

A survivor of Katrina standing on a rooftop in New Orleans waiting for hours to be rescued may blame the rescue workers manning the boats. Later investigation, however, would reveal that the failures of the rescue teams stemmed from the lack of preparedness in the pertinent municipal and state agencies. Further investigation would reveal that the source of the failure went even higher -- to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Similarly, whatever happens anywhere in the cosmos is ultimately regulated by the highest cosmic authority: God. If you want to change what happens here in the lowest of all worlds, the physical world, you would do well to address yourself to the top, to God.

Once we acknowledge God as the ultimate source of everything that happens, the next step is to recognize that human beings in this lowest world have the power to influence Divine edicts. Rabbi Yaacov Haber likens the chain of cosmic causality to rain. Rain obviously comes from above to below, yet rain production is a cycle. The evaporation of water here below creates clouds, which in turn empty their moisture as rain.

Just as polluted water causes acid rain, so "polluted" actions in this world cycle up and cause harmful edicts to descend upon human beings. The converse is also true. Acts of teshuva -- of coming closer to God -- can reverse even the most severe Divine decree.

SOUL SEARCHING

The Talmud poses a seemingly rhetorical question: What caused the destruction of the Second Temple? The Talmudic sages, who still lived under Roman domination, must have known the obvious answer. The Roman Empire, which controlled the entire known world, dominated Judea. The Jews rebelled against Rome, inciting the Great Revolt. Three Roman legions were dispatched to Judea to quell the rebellion. They encircled Jerusalem, put a siege on the city, and finally broke through the walls, decimated the city, and destroyed the Temple.

If Israel is destroyed, it will be by an Iranian nuclear missile, but not because of an Iranian nuclear missile.

While these are the historical facts known to every child of that period, the Talmud ignores this chain of events as being causal. Instead, it answers its own question: The Temple was destroyed because of causeless hatred among Jews. The sages thus made a distinction between the circumstances of the destruction and the cause of the destruction.

If Israel is destroyed, it will be by an Iranian nuclear missile, but not because of an Iranian nuclear missile. The cause of our annihilation will be our spiritual failures.

The present nuclear threat from Iran is not the first time that the specter of extermination of the Jews has issued from that country. How did the Jews of 2363 years ago respond to the contemporary Persian ruler's decree to exterminate every Jewish man, woman, and child?

They did mass teshuva. They fasted, repented, and cried out to God. The Divinely orchestrated salvation of Purim was the result.

Rabbi Noah Weinberg, the dean of Aish HaTorah, has pointed out that the Persian Jews' choice to respond spiritually to the looming physical danger is significant. When Haman, the Prime Minister of Persia, issued a ruling that everyone must bow down to him as he passed on the street, Mordechai the Jew refused. The Jewish leaders of the time remonstrated with Mordechai not to provide a pretext for Haman to vent his anti-Semitism: "If you don't bow, we'll all be killed."

Nevertheless, Mordechai refused to bow. Haman became enraged, and convinced the King to issue an edict of extermination against all the Jews in the Empire. At that point, the Jewish leaders, who had warned Mordechai not to resist Haman's authority, could have easily come back to Mordechai and blamed him for causing their collective doom.

Instead, they recognized that God runs the world, and that God would not wipe out the Jewish people because Mordechai refused to bow to Haman. They realized that the law of spiritual causality dictates that they must search their own souls for the spiritual cause of the edict of annihilation. They went to Mordechai and admitted: "You were right. This catastrophe has come upon us because we participated in the King's banquet [celebrating the destruction of the First Temple] nine years ago."

Of course we must respond militarily, but our first strike must be spiritual.

The spiritual response preceded the military response. The Jews' teshuva brought down Divine clemency that foiled Haman's plot and wrought his downfall. Nevertheless, the original royal edict could not be rescinded. Instead, Mordechai, the new Prime Minister of Persia who now possessed the royal seal, issued a second edict empowering the Jews to battle their enemies. Although most of the gentiles in the Empire understood that the tide had turned in favor of the Jews, many die-hard anti-Semites rose up to kill Jews on the appointed day. They were met with a valiant Jewish counter-attack, which, according to the Book of Esther, left 75,800 dead. The spiritual response did not preclude the military response, but it did precede it.

OUR RESPONSE

We are living out a modern-day Purim story. Iran's developing of a nuclear bomb, coupled with Ahmadinejad's vociferous threats to destroy Israel, are nothing less than an edict of extermination. Of course we must respond militarily, but our first strike must be spiritual.

Teshuva means changing course. It means doing something different than you've done before. It means coming closer to God by accepting on yourself to do God's will in some area of your life where previously you had resisted.

As in the events of Purim, our response to the looming holocaust from Iran must be mass teshuva. This means that all Jewish men and women, whether they define themselves as religious, secular, or somewhere in between, must undertake to do a mitzvah that they were previously not performing. The step must be big enough to constitute a real change, but not too daunting to successfully incorporate into one's life.

Some suggestions:

To stop putting down groups of Jews, no matter how much you disagree with their ways. [mitzvah of not speaking lashon hara]

For women: To light Shabbat candles before sunset Friday.

For men: To put on tefillin once a week.

To learn Torah one hour a week more than you presently do. This could mean signing up with Partners in Torah or attending a class at your local synagogue. [mitzvah of learning Torah]

To honor your parents in a way you have not previously done. [Note: all mitzvah observance requires learning the relevant laws.]

To stop eating dairy and meat products in the same meal.

To incorporate prayer into your life on a daily basis. Buy a Jewish prayer book and learn how to use it.

To make peace with a relative or friend from whom you are estranged. [mitzvah of loving your neighbor]

And to do whatever you choose to do with the intention of drawing closer to the Divine will and becoming a better Jew.

This is Europe, 1941. The Final Solution is being readied. I plead with you not to exit this article without committing yourself to some kind of specific spiritual response to ward off the looming genocide. Please use the comment section below to write in the specific commitment you will undertake.

As a Jew in Israel, I feel the encroaching doom from Iran. My life and the lives of my children are at stake. Indeed, because we are truly one people with one destiny, all of our lives are at stake. Let us not be caught unawares this time.

Take a moment to write your specific commitment to change in the comment section below.

Coming to Israel? The Riglers invite you to their home for "An Enchanted Evening in the Old City," with a Broadway-style musical show. For more information, click here.

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About the Author

Sara Yoheved Rigler is the author of Heavenprints, as well as the bestsellers: God Winked: Tales and Lessons from my Spiritual Adventures, Holy Woman, Lights from Jerusalem, and Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer Hara (with Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller). She is a popular international lecturer on subjects of Jewish spirituality. She has given lectures and workshops in Israel, England, Switzerland, South Africa, Mexico, Chile, Canada, and over thirty American cities. A graduate of Brandeis University, after fifteen years of practicing and teaching meditation and Eastern philosophy, she discovered "the world's most hidden religion: Torah Judaism." Since 1985, she has been living as a Torah-observant Jew in the Old City of Jerusalem with her husband and two children. She presents a highly-acclaimed Marriage Workshop for women [seewww.kesherwife.com] as well as a Gratitude Workshop. To invite her to your community, please write to info@sararigler.com.

Visitor Comments: 296

(290)
Sami S. Halabi,
October 6, 2012 10:51 AM

'The death of 'Iran'

Nuclear devices with devastating consequences can be placed by agents in designated areas all over Iran.
If Iran's Ayatollahs agree to fire their so called Shahab long range rockets at Israel, only then will those nuclear devices be activated automatically from israel itself.

(289)
Anonymous,
April 16, 2012 11:58 AM

to start the day with a compliment or cheery greeting to my son Cahim

It tend to be way to critical of him. I need to compliment him right in the morning and also describe his goodness to myself and slowly I will bez:h start to really feel the inestimable value of his neshamah and his natural g-d given charm. No more words of pain, only building.

(288)
ananta wisnu wijaya,
March 26, 2012 4:38 AM

faith

believe to the almighty

(287)
sergio from miami,
March 24, 2012 12:36 AM

not by force, but by my spirit

i believe this kind of article , it nothing to do with aish, this is not areligious article, please we need hashem in or mind, and in our hearts, this article is no good, talk about hashem , not about war
Thanks, please talk about hashem, God o whatever you want to call

(286)
Devorah,
March 20, 2012 12:36 PM

Tehilim

We all need to get into our hearts the presence of HaShem, regardles of our observance levels.
Will try to read and feel the words of Tehilim daily. Make "peace" with extended family.

(285)
Sol,
March 16, 2012 8:25 PM

will try to improve my view of others

Hashem please help.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe would always say that by even discussing giving away land shows weakness and will G-D forbid put millions of Jewish lives in danger.
Unfortunately he was too correct.
Let us stand strong and increase in goodness and kindness.

(284)
Anonymous,
March 15, 2012 9:28 AM

laws of lashon hara daily halacha email

First those who wrote about being careful not to speak lashon hara, I subscribe (free) to a daily halacha email on the laws of lashon hara and rechilut via Mishmeret Hashalom (an organization that is bent on eradicating lashon hara and sinat hinam). It's terrific - a summary of the halachot (laws) in point form, a teaspoonful a day that takes exactly one minute to read and it affects my entire day. To sign up, email bw@hasholom.org.

(283)
smb,
March 15, 2012 5:12 AM

we need both

we need physical and spiritual strength and protection. Together, we can be victorious, with G-d's help. May the redemption come soon

(282)
Anonymous,
March 14, 2012 10:51 AM

I will call/text my mother every night.

(281)
Anonymous,
March 14, 2012 3:18 AM

Teshuvah

We need to do teshuvah now more tha ever. We need to cry and pray to Hashem to save us. I commit to pray for our people with kavannah and to keep an eye on my language to avoid lashon hara.

(280)
Alla,
March 14, 2012 2:41 AM

Iran or Arabs hating Jews not our fault

I am not religious Jew and it's very difficulty for me to swallow that the Jews themselves are responsible for the hatred we have endured by so many different cultures from the beginning of time. The Jewish people have always prayed and tried to be better people yet that has no influence on our enemies. Karma is not the answer and hatred is bred in the crib when it comes to Muslims and Arabs toward the Jews. You cannot pray away evil when it's like a deep cancer.

hrothjgar,
March 15, 2012 12:50 AM

I agree with you.I am a Christian and I am sure that God wil lnever abandon the Jews to those who seek their destruction;they will not succeed.In history other peoples have tried to destroy the Jews and have failed;the Jewish people survive and recover.In fact I believe that who ever tries to destroy the Jews is ultimately sealing their own doom.God has a purpose for the Jewish race and that purpose is not yet fulfilled.The jews are the key to the final age.God's promise cannot be fulfilled if the Jewish race is destroyed.

Miriam,
March 16, 2012 2:57 AM

In God's hand

Is there really something imposible for God?

(279)
anonymous,
March 14, 2012 1:14 AM

Lashon Harah

I will dedicate the learning of the laws of Lashon Harah with a new student to the salvation of our People, try and pray the prayer for redemption with greater intention, and I will speak to the 150 or so students that I teach to ask them to do a new mitzvah too.

(278)
Godbless Israel,
March 13, 2012 2:57 PM

Re:Ray Saperstein

Hitler began a plot in the early thirties...many years passed before the actual extermination of the jews. now more then ever we must do teshuva and unite in military strength and prayer.

Ray Saperstein,
March 16, 2012 2:34 PM

I agree with you

I did not mean to say that Israel should do nothing. It seems that lots of people think that an Israeli strike against Iran will certainly succeed, with minimal Israeli casualties. I tried to point out that Israel could face enormous casualties now in order to prevent a threat that might never materialize. A decision to attack Iran by Israel alone could be extremely dangerous, and must not be made emotionally, or taken lightly.

(277)
Efraim,
March 12, 2012 9:50 PM

Mitzvot

I put Tefilin every morning. I try to help those in needy. I daven every day. I also plan to get married soon and to make shalom with a relative that I havent spoken to in 26 years.

(276)
Anonymous,
March 12, 2012 6:36 PM

I will strive....

I will strive to avoid lashon hara, have a deeper respect for my parents and in laws and to pray every day for Israel's salvation.

(275)
chaiah schwab,
March 12, 2012 5:55 PM

Comit to say the morning brachos with kavana (hearing what I'm saying). & to take a deep breath at least once a day while remembering that Hashem is in charge.

(274)
Andy,
March 12, 2012 5:11 PM

Kavanah

I will raise my level of kavanah when I pray for the unity and strength of our people.

(273)
Ray Saperstein,
March 12, 2012 4:24 PM

The date is interesting

I do not mean to diminish the threat from Iran in any way. But we have to look at the date of this article. Five years have passed. We keep seeing estimates of when Iran could have a nuclear weapon, and it is always predicted at some point in the future that nobody knows. While we know that Israel has an excellent army, we need to take into account that an attack against Iran could lead to missiles raining on Israel from Lebanon and Gaza, and Syria could get involved, possibly with chemical weapons. Israel could be faced with a multi-front war to combat a threat that might never happen. At the same time, let's not forget that Israel does not have large numbers of jets that can strike Iran and return without re-fueling, and that Israel does not have a big supply of bunker-busting bombs. Success in attacking Iran is by no means guaranteed. In the meantime, Iran is benefitting tremendously from all this talk of war. The US and EU are grovelling at Ahmadinijad's feet, begging for negotiations, even while supposedly strong sanctions are applied. The sanctions are hurting the Iranian people, but the government couldn't care less. The price of oil is skyrocketing, so all the Middle East oil-producers are benefitting. Iran gets to project fear everywhere, which only makes the Iranians appear more powerful in the region. I don't pretend to know the solution to this situation, but we should not be so gung-ho on Israel going it alone without considering that Israel could face huge casualties not just from Iran, but from other neighboring countries. Imagine what would happen if Israel felt that in order to avoid attacks from neighboring states, it had to destroy large parts of Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria at the same time that it has to attack Iran. In previous wars, there were lots of jokes about Arabs retreating and not being the greatest fighting force around. Once a missile is launched, it won't retreat.

Dvirah,
March 13, 2012 3:34 PM

Alternatives

As this article points out, there are other ways to combat the Iranian threat than by a straight-forward military strike. Even other "military" ways...

Anonymous,
March 15, 2012 12:54 AM

It almost describes the years leading to the second world war.The West must stamp all over Iran,now.

(272)
Jewell,
March 12, 2012 3:13 PM

Teshuva

I am writing my list of changes to do my part.
Read your book, loved it, could not put it down!!

(271)
Anonymous,
March 12, 2012 2:09 PM

my kaballah

Thank you for this article. I am a teenager who lives in Israel, and ive been trying to find some way that I can prevent this attack. Thank you for giving me some advice! I will try my very hardest to be less critical towards my siblings, and to say at least one nice comment to each sibling every day.

(270)
Leaf,
March 12, 2012 1:20 PM

Facebook

I reopened my Facebook page and have devoted it to Israel and educating people about Muslims ,terrorist and am I am Pro-Israel .So many people in America are not getting the truth about whats really happening in Israel on our new media and I am commited to showing them the true side not the biased info that comes out of CNN and other news media .

(269)
Anonymous,
March 12, 2012 6:44 AM

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS

Prayer changes things,there fore i commit to pray three times daily. Wish a divine intervention will overturn Ahmadinejad's edict and goal of destroying the Jewish state of Israel.May the evil he desires for Jewish people boomerang upon him and other fascists in Iran or elsewhere

(268)
Anonymous,
March 12, 2012 12:10 AM

Teshuva

I will continue to light Shabbat candles, help resolve relationships between family members who have differences of opinion, and will refrain from lashon hara and change the subject when with people starting to relate lashon hara.

(267)
Binyamin,
March 11, 2012 11:40 PM

To try to keep more mitzvot

(266)
malka,
March 11, 2012 10:46 PM

please do teshuva

to all my jewish brothers and sisters, please open your hearts and your eyes, stop doing lashon hara, and come back to torah. i will try and do these things and pray daily for Ha Shem's light and glory to continually surround Israel.

(265)
Leah,
March 11, 2012 10:30 PM

Thank you, Sara Rigler. This is what I find to be absent in the conservative talk show hosts who are politically fine and the like. Look, I know that they cannot preach any particualar religion- and that is fine by, yet at least bring up the topic...

(264)
MICHAEL WILKS,
March 11, 2012 10:05 PM

I applaud your article. This is the Jewish way. And btw, the Economist Newspaper said on the subject, that bombing was not the answer." Feb 25th 2012 http://www.economist.com/node/21548233

(263)
Anonymous,
March 11, 2012 7:17 PM

Declare a national fast - all Jews worldwide

As a start to the teshuva process lets do as they did in the times of the Purim story, declaire a fast as well as take on extra mitzot. I dont know how to do this or organise this but the fast must include all jews worldwide - one nation together.

(262)
Adrian,
March 11, 2012 7:01 PM

Israel is safe

I do not believe Iran will seek to destroy Israel. Ahmadinejad was misquoted with wiping Israel odf the map and the jewish people shouldn't be so scared of a nuclear Iran. After all, Israel already has nuclear weapons so it already has the upper hand. India and Pakistan have been enemies and both live side by side.

Anonymous,
March 15, 2012 1:01 AM

I think you are being very unwise to underestimate the fanatical vision of righteousness that leads pious muslims to believe it is their mission to destroy the infidel,and imitate mohammed in the destruction of jewry wherever and whenever.

(261)
Stew,
March 11, 2012 6:54 PM

Holocaust Thinking

Perhaps we should all be reminded that 6 million of our People perished because of a man who's way of thinking parallels that of Ahmadejad's. We should bring forth the famous, yet timely expression, "Never Again" and start living by it immediately. May the Jewish People continue to flourish forever!

(260)
Feige Rochel,
March 11, 2012 6:09 PM

the spiritual option

We are making aliyah, G-d willing, May 2012.We are going through Nefesh B'nefesh. when asked the 3 reasons I want to come to Israel:1. children and grandchildren are there 2. The Jewish Homeland 3.There will come a time in the not too distant future that it will not be good to be a Jew in the USA.
When there is no political or military, there is only one answer: G-d runs the world.
Benjamin Netanyahu understands that in protecting Israel, he is protecting all Jews, no matter where. There is the responsibility of every Jew to do whatever we can to get closer to Hashem and do WHAT HE WANTS US TO DO.
We, one Jew at a time, must stop fighting amongst ourselves. It can be to stop encouraging Jewish hatred of different groups among us,even taking on a higher level of observance, whether a Jew calls themself Reform, Conservative,Orthodox or Charedi. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!
Hitler did not discriminate-he took Jews that hadbeen converted from Judaism for generations. The leaders of Iran, Saudi Arabia, so-called "Palestinians", Syria, Jordan, Lebanon,many African countries etc etc don't care if we Jews are observant or non-observant or help them with desalinization or solar energy(which are truly helpful to them). They want to destroy all of us!
If all Jews all over would just believe that and improve even 1 mitzvah, we could be the greatest supporting help to the Israeli forces. as Mordechai told Esther, "Do not imagine in your soul that you will be able to escape in the king's palace anymore than the rest of the Jews." That "palace" may be a reform Temple, being like everyone else in California, New York or little Mississippi towns. or being married to a non-Jew(after all we are all children of One G-d).
Please let's do whatever we can to get closer to Hashem so that the land and the people of Israel will continue to live and thrive.

(259)
ruth housman,
March 11, 2012 5:21 PM

Batting 100

It could be said life is a game of baseball and that to do well, as we all know, it's about home runs, and how we hit or strike that bat.
I agree that spirituality is key, and that we all need to pray for remedies from above, and also within, because, I see it's all God, and it is very much a popular notion, that Jewish mysticism leads us towards, being we are all aspects of that greater soul, and Israel is ONE soul, but disparate. I think this should and can be extended to the entire world, because we are all of us, on this planet as Created Beings, and none of us independent of the Creator. Sigature of All Things. God's signature is on all acts of creation.
All the same, we're in a story with a learning curve, even if, on another plane it's about determinism. Here we must move up that slope of tikkun olam, meaning we need to think compassionately. We must wrestle with ethical considerations. We must also be empathic, and somehow try to understand the immense and vitriolic hatred we have to contend with, in the obscene words of those who wish to annihilate us. That seems so totally not of God, and all we can do, is fight this, as you have written, first by being spiritual however we define spiritual, and it can be, that one person's way of doing mitzvot varies from another's. But do it. Think about these issues, work for humanity, for humane causes, and pray. It's what we can do. Nuclear deterrent war is for me, not an option, as it's about murder of innocents. We are placed in a very hard position, and we must work hard to do what we can, in the face of, such terrible, totally unlearned, barbarism of hate.

(258)
Frank Adam,
March 11, 2012 4:21 PM

You can do better than this!

The list of things to do for the Jew in the pew is valid from a personal piety and public solidarity of Jews angle; but makes no political difference to Iran's spiteful self pitying anger with the Western US Great Satan and the Israeli Little Satan. This is a good example of how you can take the Jew out of the ghetto and even have them build a successful modern state, but the mentality is still that in which getting the ghetto out of the Jew is the problem.
Israel needs icy nerves to tell the World to do something about Iran and the Arab states for breaking UN 181 and several UN charter clauses about settling differences while keeping its powder dry and suggesting that if the World wants Israel to lie low the the World should bring their embassies to Jerusalem to explain as much.
What is clear is that war with Iran is at Israeli range llimits so very risky, so will be a perfect excuse for the rest of the World inclusive the US State Dept which has always seen Israel as a complication and a nuisance, to abandon Israel by refusing military supplies and refusing to trade with her - as was done in 1973 till Israel agreed to the cease fire that saved the Egyptian Third Army.
Where Israel has been at fault in its diplomacy since Oslo if not 1967 is that it has been so ready to offer peace, the Arabs have been able to play hard to get and set prices. It is time for Israel to insist on some prices of its own: that US and other embassies move to Jerusalem; that the Arabs and other Moslem states stop their incitement and lies in schoolbooks and media; and stop boycotts of Israel in the UN and other international fora; that the Arab states and PA stop frontier rockets, shooting and infiltration.
Finally what the Jews do does matter booth in Yiishuv and Golah but Jewish actions havre to interact with the rest of the World and not only go round in the small circle of Jews God and only the prayer book & mitzvot.

(257)
Alan G.,
March 11, 2012 3:05 PM

Strike first!

Diplomacy will not work with Iran, Israel must act now or be destroyed! How can you realistically deal with people that think that it's an honor to die? Of course there will be repercussions, but it's better than annihilation!.

(256)
moshe Kaplan,M.D,
March 11, 2012 2:34 PM

Be A Mensch

A national campaign is starting soon to upgrade the basic values in Israel.based on the book. "Be A Mensch-Why Good Character is the Key to A life of Health, Wealth, Happiness and Love"(Sarah Rigler contributed to it) Join the campaign-see www. Be A Mensch.com

(255)
jmm,
March 11, 2012 2:12 PM

Bibi is a true statesman and understands the Iranian threat for Israel and the entire world. President Obama looks like just another politician next to Bibi and he is clearly not pro-Israel, as the past threes years have indicated. Unfortunately, the majority of Jews will vote for him again as President and he will likely be reelected. That's why Israel must strike before the presidential election since Israel cannot rely on Obama to strike Iran after the election and it will be too late for Israel to strike and be effective. G-d forbid that Iran ever acquires nuclear weapons and uses them against Israel. But, if that ever happened, I can just hear the Jewish Obama supporters exclaim " Obama did everything that he could '' or '' We didn't think Iran would really act irrationally and really use them''. After three years, I cannot understand how the majority of Jews can vote for Obama. I could not live with myself if Israel was destroyed and by supporting Obama, I contributed to the destruction. My hands will not be dripping with my fellow Jew's blood!!

(254)
David,
March 11, 2012 12:05 PM

True, chazak ve'ematz!

I accept upon myself to abstain from unnecesary negative comments about people in general, and jews in particular. all baseless hatred is sinfull and in the way of practicality achieves absolutely nothing.

(253)
Abigail,
March 11, 2012 9:18 AM

accepting others

I will try to be more accepting of others with whom I have difficulty getting along.

(252)
Doreen,
February 18, 2012 1:02 AM

Indeed the first strike must be spiritual

I am not a Jew but I pledge to pray Psalm 83 on a regular basis for the Nation of Israel

(251)
Robert Rubin,
February 17, 2012 1:37 AM

Follow through on mitzvahs - not just talk about them

Spend time with my uncle and his family I have ignored for many years.
Try to enforce not eating meat and dairy at the same meal.
Work continuously on Ahavat Israel.

(250)
Jacob Huyer,
February 13, 2012 12:44 AM

I agree. Teshuva is the first step and My family will be praying doing Mitzvot at this critical time. Keep writing and reaching out. Yascher Koach.

(249)
,
August 10, 2010 8:03 PM

Appreciated article

Live at peace with neighbors/brothers rather than hold grudge.

(248)
Tamar,
July 22, 2008 1:05 AM

i will try to concentrate when i say Shema every day

(247)
Anonymous,
January 9, 2008 10:47 PM

I will b''n try to think before I speak to my students

Many times during class when a student misbehaves, i might say a comment that is mean, hurtful etc. I will try to think of an appropriate comment even if that means delaying a response for a few seconds.

(246)
Eliezer Simcha ben Pinchas,
January 5, 2008 5:17 PM

Be Jewish for your grandchildren

Children can often rebel against their parents, including being less religious, not seeing the need to keep close to the jewish community. I have 4 children, 2 girls, 2 boys. I have been upping my study of tenach and Jewish laws for about 6 years since my first son's bar mitzvah preparation - he is now 19. So I am better informed to pass the religion on to my grandchildren when they arrive on the scene.

(245)
Anonymous,
January 3, 2008 3:20 PM

war

if iran is amking these wmd... to wipe us(israel /jews) out the as far as i am concern then we are war already with them ...

(244)
Yehudah,
January 2, 2008 11:30 AM

With G-d's Help

To love my fellow jews, to speak properly, and to get up on time for minyan each morning. Not to use Shabbos menucah as an excuse to daven at "Bais Shlofin". To have more trust in Hashem that I'll eventually find a wife.

(243)
Abdiel,
January 2, 2008 9:01 AM

For B'nai Yisrael

I will don Tefillin once a week.

(242)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2008 10:12 PM

it's all about the attitude

Bli neder, I will try very hard to work on my optimism, as I feel that it detracts from my fulfillment of the mitzva "Ve'ahavta Et Hashem Elokecha B'chol Levavcha U'vchol Nafshecha," and may this small personal change impact the world in a very big way.

(241)
Dr. David Rosen,
January 1, 2008 4:48 AM

Well stated-we must look into ourselves and educate ourselves

Exactly what Prof. Aumann said at the Herzliya conference 2007

(240)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2008 3:59 AM

make peace with mother-in-law

I commit myself (bli neder) to attempting to make peace with my mother-in-law.

(239)
Barry E Lerner,
December 31, 2007 4:16 PM

a time and place for everything

My Alma Mater, Muhlenberg College, is named after a family of Lutheran clergy in the 1700's. A story is told of Reverend Peter Muhlenberg, at the inception of the American revolution, a time when all able-bodied men were members of the militia. At the end of one Sunday sermon, he removed his clerical garb, revealing the uniform of an officer of the Continental Army, advised the congregation that, "There is a time to pray and a time to fight; now is the time to fight", and marched his men off to war. I suggest that Ms Rigler understand that the spiritual and the military are two different things, and while spirituality may contribute to morale and thus improve chances for victory, now is, decidedly, the time to fight.

(238)
jerry j,
December 31, 2007 10:14 AM

here it is

I currently spend too much time in front of the computer in the evenings.I commit to spend more of the evening time learning and and speaking about what I learn with ny wife.

(237)
Arthur Carbajal Hernandez,
December 31, 2007 2:40 AM

The 23rd Chapter of the Book Of PSALMS

As a Combat Infantry Soldier of WWll I daily recited " Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness, I fear no harm, for you are with me....: Faith brought me home, though wounded twice, I am healthy at age 84.

(236)
Anonymous,
December 30, 2007 9:32 PM

To light Shabbat candles before sunset on Friday and to honor my parents in a way I have not previously done.

I have trouble getting to the candles every Friday due to my hectic schedule, let alone lighting before sunset. This commitment will be a good motivator for me. I tend to be short of patience with my aging parents, particularly my mother. This is something I look forward to improving.

(235)
Anonymous,
December 30, 2007 3:37 PM

to be more patient, control my comments to my teenage daughter

(234)
Frank Adam,
December 30, 2007 2:19 PM

This is short of secular policy

The strategy here is Rashi classical in that the Jewish people are divided between Yishuv and Golah.

I leave to the religious that it is enough on this count to merely brush up on personal observances but having seen enough evidence that the Shoah consumed a large number of tephilin layers and observers of other daily mitzvot; I suggest they rethink to spot their omissions of collective measures. Start with not studying and understanding the non - Jewish world.

Most important since we have to encourage our people, and justify our politics before the other nations if we are to secure their support if not assistance in our defence; it is time to have some public policy discussion and reaction to nuclear threats - especially as the Cold War has set some useful precedents and ended without going hot. Besides in the profession of this discussion Israel's, "bomb in the basement," policy has been a model of securing nuclear deterrence but not openly threatening, so not encouraging an arms race. Note that the Arab states have only started an interest in N- bombs since Ayatollahs' Iran signified it intends to obtain AND use an N- weapon. The ARAB World had been tolerant of an Israeli nuclear capacity because Israel did not threaten with it; because the US was prepared to keep Israel in the latest NON-nuclear weapons so that Israel would not have to use her N- weapons as allegedly threatened in 1973. Now, the Arabs do not wish to be pushed about buy Iran either. Manoeuvre with that goal to us!

Israel's action should include: first the only Iranian grievance against Israel is a sense of religious humiliation that Jews - and the West in general - have the cheek to assume and insist on equality with the Moslem World. We should proclaim this purely abstract and impractical Iranian attitude to be: Fascist / Communist / Medieval or whatever , AND a threat to all the World, so as to black Iran politically [and justify as a just war, military retaliation if and when necessary].

Second as Iran has proclaimed it would please them (!) to drop a bomb on Israel to wreck her - and this is a purely ideological and religious gripe to attack Judaism and Jews, Israel should also pass the whisper that it will reply materially AND ideologically on Moslem religious interests. There are plenty of these starting with the Mecca sites and the largest Moslem university and library in the World at El Ahzar but Israel should NOT mention specific targets s as to preserve openings to the World of Islam in general (and Saudi, Egypt and Iraq in particular) to pressure Iran.

(233)
Ann O'Neil,
December 30, 2007 2:14 PM

I will endevor to spend more time with Torah Study and prayer

(232)
Anonymous,
December 30, 2007 1:17 PM

Thanks for a wonderful article! It made me mindful of my own shortcomings in the past and need for teshuvah in the future. I'll do my part by spending at least one hour a day studying Torah, speaking up for Israel in letters, emails, phonecalls, and spend time caring for my family and friends. I'll stop mindless watching TV and playing computer games.

(231)
Jeanette Weinschel,
December 30, 2007 1:06 PM

very important article

to try to concentrate more fully when davening as my mind gets distracted and I think of the things I plan to do later

(230)
Todd,
December 30, 2007 11:00 AM

disagree with the premise

Hashem tells us to do mitzvot. If we fail to do mitzvot we don't know what will happen to us -- we all know folks who scoff at mitzvot and live to ripe old ages and have plenty of money. We know Torah Jews cut down in their prime.

(229)
Allan,
December 30, 2007 10:56 AM

WWI Song

There is a song of WW II vintage that is "PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITON"...good song, and probably a good idea at this critical time in history for all to consider. Israel needs to do whatever is necessary to protect it's survival. That ammunition must always be at the ready to defend the country and to strike out at any that threaten the countries right to exist. As a Jew not brought up religious but with a strong feeling for my people and the survival of Isreal and that of the USA and all other peace loving countries of the world, I quess prayer sure can't hurt and doing some Mitzvahs each day or week will be welcomed by G-D.

(228)
Anonymous,
December 30, 2007 10:17 AM

Take Action

So what the cause of the Holocaust? What was the spiritual failing of Europe's Jews that led to the destructrion of a generation of scholar and peasants, children and frail elderly, nursing mothers and suckling babies. Were the six million so insufficient in mitzvot and prayer that their destruction was somehow their own fault. The logic of your arguement unfortunatley leads to this most unsatifsying conclusion. We wil all pray for Isreal's salvation. We will all do mitzvot, but it will not matter unless he goverment of Isreal takes action to protect the Jewish people. That is the purpose of having a Jewish state.

(227)
l.simonsohn,
December 30, 2007 9:54 AM

Being,decent and observing Jews did not stop them from being murdered. The answer to the threat is to get a bigger stick and use it befor he has the chance to use it on you!

(226)
Anonymous,
December 30, 2007 6:55 AM

My commitment

I undertake to refrain my tongue one hour a day (mitzvah of not speaking lashon ha rah)

(225)
Adam Sulkis,
July 9, 2007 10:38 AM

Aliyah

I will make Aliyah with Tzofim Garin Tzabar from NYC to Israel in summer of 2008 and will join the IDF. I don't really care about anything else in life right now besides averting this Second Holocaust, and if not averting it... then fighting it with my body and soul, not from my couch watching CNN.

(224)
michael,
April 13, 2007 11:03 PM

Yet again

Yet again Israel is threatened and idley wait until the last moment when it should have acted sooner.Given into what I call the silly dove policy as referenced in the bible as to Israels non action and overbending to accomodate its enemies while it waits to be snared and attacked by the vipers that surround Israel.I will admit a spiritual awakening needs to take place but actions upon your enemies requires a follow up to keep your enemies at bay.Iran is very close to making your fears a reality.It is indeed time for unity and reapply Israels strength known to all its enemies to rethink before threats and thinking you will wait idley while it builds the weapons of Israels destruction.

(223)
Goran,
March 27, 2007 11:37 AM

Hit(ahmadinejad)hard before it is to late. he will not hesitate to do the same to Israel.Remember,HaShem gave this Land to you,but you still had tofight for It.

(222)
Eric,
March 6, 2007 6:20 PM

Excellent points--Spiritual before Military

I was very impressed with your understanding of the order of battle. That is, the first battle is within us to be more devoted to G-d in some meaningful way, doing mitzvah and with a concern to honor the 2nd commandment (loving G-d). And the second battle is then the one that is sure to come Israel vs Iran. If Israel prepares herself spiritually, I fully believe G-d will fight on her behalf and no matter what the odds against her, who can defeat G-d? Israel wins when she embraces her G-d. This coming from a Gentile who cares deeply for Israel.

(221)
Anonymous,
February 25, 2007 11:16 PM

My respond. I will do teshuva and will not speak lashon hara, and from any where in the world. I will be praying for Shalom for our be loved Ysrael.

(220)
Anonymous,
February 4, 2007 10:00 PM

Influential article

Sara-Belighted thanks for a wonderful article. I've often thought about the sackcloth and ashes mentioned in the Megilla, so it was good to see you reference it for our time. In place of our usual woman's learning for Rosh Chodesh, I read your article aloud to our group, and it was well-received. I made a commitment to our group to regularly attend a community Tehillim group where we pray for Shiduchim, Rafuah Shalema, and for the safety of Israel. I made a personal commitment, as well, to say my morning prayers more often.

(219)
Anonymous,
January 31, 2007 5:23 PM

My commitment Starts Now

To make peace with an estranged friend. [mitzvah of loving one's neighbor]

(218)
Michael,
January 29, 2007 9:02 AM

Will engage in torah study for 1 hour per week

I will be open to contact from Partners in Torah and begin my study within the next 3 days

(217)
Anonymous,
January 28, 2007 8:49 PM

Been searching since'46

Just begin to see a lttle/I thought one layed tfillen daily/ am a WWII vet,am in agreement with Jacobs three pronged solution. Will do my utmost when action is necessary/ would like to speak with ms Shapiro, have many questions. BAW

(216)
Anonymous,
January 16, 2007 10:14 PM

bikur cholim

To send cards, make phone calls, or actual visits if the individual wants one. To let people know that they and their families are not forgotten.

(215)
Anonymous,
January 16, 2007 4:51 AM

I will stop speaking lashon hara

(214)
Michael Straup,
January 15, 2007 8:10 AM

Our eyes are upon God

Indeed the dynamics in heavenly realms are influenced by the good or the bad that flows from our hearts. May we treat the verbal threat as an opportunity to awaken and turn our eyes and our hearts heavenward.

(213)
Anonymous,
January 14, 2007 5:55 AM

THE NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING COMMUNITY

I totally agree with what you have written by making specific commitments in order to stop the edict against Israel. Personally, teshuvah and making peace with a close relative is a very good start. Everytime I read articles that lift me spiritually, I begin making internal changes. I wonder also about the other half of Israel that are not able to read English and it is that part of Israel that needs to read these important words as well.

(212)
Anonymous,
January 11, 2007 4:45 AM

I commit to add a prayer when I first wake up, no matter what the hour, for God's guidance and strength.

Thanks for this powerful and helpful article.

(211)
Leah Shaindel,
January 10, 2007 8:28 PM

my commitment

I will be friendlier to those girls in my class who aren't so popular or with it- but still they just as worthy, just as holy.

(210)
Anonymous,
January 10, 2007 1:40 AM

n this article, Israel's Vital First Strike, the writer requested some sort of committment to change.I consider myself a pretty observant Jew. However, as of late I have not been attending shul as often as I used to, as school wears me down by the end of the week and I prefer to stay at home. Starting this week, I will get back into the habit.Also, I have not evaluated the week's Torah portion in a long time. Perhaps if I did, Shabbat would be more meaningful.Recently, I have been noticing my sins more and more. They seem small, a little white lie here and there, a snippet of lashon horah. But I can feel it building it up and this spiritual cause is more than enough reason to make a change today.May God watch over us in these coming days.

(209)
bernard goldenberg,
January 9, 2007 3:57 PM

We must do what the situation requires

Yes I am a jew regardless of myplace ofbirth and I will do that to the end of my life

(208)
Anonymous,
January 9, 2007 1:47 PM

When I read your article last week, I called a person I could not tolerate - even for 2 minutes - spoke to the person for a few minutes to let her know I was thinking of asking about her family. It was a pleasant conversation - even to the point of answering about mine, acknowledging (?) me the next day - and each day I had a smile for her.

I am undertaking to learn a little Torah each day, to work harder on lashon hora & be more stringent in my observance of kashrut.

(205)
Anonymous,
January 7, 2007 9:23 PM

Is the current situation like this becuase we have despaired of prayer?

I read this on a blog and I think it relates to this article.I wish Ms.Rigler could explain it more:Reb Noson writes: It is important to realize that the same evil inclination which entices a person to sin, later taunts him for having succumbed and then sets about convincing him that the has no hope of salvation. The person who has sinned is left wondering why he should pray. "of what use is prayer to me now that I have sinned? " He asks himself. "There is no hope for me anymore." In this way, the evil inclination succeeds in its ultimatat goal: bringing man to despair. This, in fact, is the reason the present exile has extended on and on. The Jews have despaired of prayer!-Torat Natan #24

(204)
Anonymous,
January 7, 2007 12:54 PM

I'll try to be more carefull in observing the Mitzvah of loving my neighbor. Congratulations for this iniciative, keep it up!!!!

(203)
nina,
January 7, 2007 3:40 AM

to stop putting down groups of jews, without at least criticizing a precise behavior by precise people, if I must, and to learn more with my children,bli neder.

(202)
Anonymous,
January 7, 2007 2:25 AM

I will attend Temple every other week.Simona

(201)
Anonymous,
January 7, 2007 2:22 AM

I read Sarah Rigler's article on the Islamic threat to our existence and I would like to submit my comments and commitment that I hope to undertake and have already started to implement as I truly yearn for the GeulaShelaima- may Moshiach come NOW and bring us all home! I am currently separated from my husband of 24 years. We never had a real relationship and certainly not an initimate one that is essential in being partners in raising a true Yiddishe family. In addition to this, I have recently been diagnosed as bipolar and have resorted to drinking as an outlet and an escape from all my problems. Thank G-d I am in AA and am on medication for my bipolar. These steps have definitely helped in getting me focused on what I need to fix and getting me closer to my goal of raising my 9 children to be good Jews. Needless to say, this is no simple feat especially when you have no emotional or financial support to speak of and a husband who does not want to recognize that he also has a part in this and must take action towards improving the situation if only for the sake of our children. I know that Hashem will help and continue to do what's best for all of us, I only ask that you daven for Miriam Rochel Bas Sarah. Thank you very much for allowing me to share this.

(200)
Anonymous,
January 6, 2007 10:34 PM

I'll try not to compain on my sister or talk to my mom bad about her

1)I'll try not to compain on my sister or talk to my mom bad about her,even when it hurts me a lot .and 2)I'lltry not to complain about her to my best friend

(199)
Rachel Sharon,
January 6, 2007 8:28 PM

What is next

Speak softly and carry a big stick, never underestimate your enemy. It is extremely sad that there is so much hatred for us in the world but there is and I can't imagine it any other way and that is regrettable. If we fail to deal with Iran, then I suppose my children and I have made a decision to die because were moving home to Israel in less than four months. I don't want to die and I don't intend to be afraid to live. I gobble up every little morsel of news or new picture just to see all of you, living life where we were meant to be, don't let ignorance and hatred destroy us again. This time act First.

(198)
Mohamed K,
January 6, 2007 6:43 PM

jews are similar to non jews

Iran is not a direct threat to the jewish people, the majority are spiritually alike with thesamevaluesof faith in god, and with similar god sent culture compare to the rest of the godless materialistic world. the real threat are the american white supremacist. the following videos prove that www.nationalvanguard.org/story.php?id=5021www.nationalvanguard.org/story.php?id=5285nationalvanguard.org/story.php?id=7121 watching these videos is distressing for me as i firmly believe other than religion there is no difference between jews and gentiles. however i doubt many people really care about those racist anti semitic minorities.

(197)
Nancy Rawlings,
January 6, 2007 3:19 PM

You do not stand alone

We are gentile and live in US. We are standing with you doing what we can to press in with G-d. I have been impressed for some time that what I could do and needed to do was simply "press in". That that simple act would make a difference. My family is each one choosing something to continue doing this. I will write a letter to a relative where there has been hard feelings. We cannot physically be in Israel, but our hearts and our actions are with you.Shalom, Nancy

(196)
Anonymous,
January 6, 2007 1:41 PM

Teshuva

I commit to studying Torah one more hour each week. I will light the Sabbath candles before sunset every week.

(195)
Bill,
January 6, 2007 12:32 PM

pitiful

Remember,"the nazi films" of eastern European Men, Women, and Children running NAKED through the snow, to a ditch, with a "smiling" german soldier sitting behind a machine gun.... the ditch FULL of dead naked body's, they STUPIDLY ran up, knowing they would be KILLED...??? WHY DID THOSE PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY WERE "worthy" OF SUCH A pitiful FATE... Our leaders ARE coward and stupid ENOUGH to let this happen again. ...SCARY...

(194)
Lucia Meyerson,
January 6, 2007 8:47 AM

Mitzvah / Teshuva

To take care of my ailing 97 year old aunt Tina ,as I always do, but without any resentment or psychological resistance to this duty. To care for her with joy in my heart and by so doing liberate my own spirit.

(193)
David,
January 6, 2007 4:46 AM

to rise up as a nation

you are right Hashem will always rise somone up to save yisrael such as:Ester, the maccabees, Gideon,and many more

(192)
Anonymous,
January 5, 2007 2:22 PM

gives positive direction for action

It is valuable for me to have the situation in pre-WWII Europe compared with the situation today in the Middle East, especially Iran. Then, as now, most Jews did not take the threat seriously. Thank you for pointing out the necessity of looking inward and becoming closer to G-d...and reminding me that prayer is positive action.

(191)
Connie Gragg,
January 5, 2007 1:24 PM

My Committment

To incorporate prayer into my life on a daily basis no matter what is going on.

(190)
michael B,
January 5, 2007 12:24 PM

article

Your article on Israel's first strike was VERY POWERFUL and has influenced me to take up a new mitzvah and share this with friends.Thank you very much and very well done (and written)

(189)
Margarita,
January 5, 2007 9:46 AM

interesting

interesting article, but it's way more interesting to read comments. how many people keep on going on about another thing they are ready to do with the little disclaimer. it makes me feel sad. another thing that i have to point out is that although you are not saying we don't need army i have noticed that in your articles you have never supported army (couple of words here and there are not counted in my mind, when you put everything in spiritual level). military stragedy is right there number 2, but you missed the point of praying for our army to achieve results needed. i think that at least one of the points proposed should have been praying for our soldiers to be safe and victorious. although i'm sure praying in general will do us lots of good, why not remember the need for army (even Johua need the army, Moses saw the need of it...) and now we are downplaying it. sad...

(188)
Anonymous,
January 5, 2007 6:54 AM

How much money Ritter got to say "Israel is the one behind all wars in the wrold"

The comment by Nelson Levine: I don't know how much money Ritter or Carter or any other of U.S officials who are on Saudi Arabia's payroll got to write this report, but I know that he is not the only voice in the world, saying" Israel is the root of every war in the world!" Iran is and has been officially threatening Israel with war and destruction for the last 29 years. Its the U.S's business to take care of its own interests, but a threat to Israel is a threat and Jews will suffer from it, no matter how we try to explain it away. If our enemies keep using propaganda againist us and making the world believe any war in Iraq or Iran will be Israel's fault, the danger to Jewish people will still be there. Is Israel behind the Sunni and Shia brutal killing of each other in Iraq? Is Israel behind Arab killings in Darfur, or Islamists killings of innocet people in a India or Indonesia? Thoes who hate Israel and Jews will continue to believe whatever they want and have enough money to do propaganda, and many ignorant people will believe them. I'm sure Hitler also believed that every war and every evil in the world happened becuase of Jews, and we saw the result. Let's look at issues from all angels and see what is happening around the world, instead of quoting from one anti-Jewish politicain as the words of an all knowing entity. As another commentaror said: we need an Irgun mentality to survive this time.

(187)
Peter,
January 5, 2007 5:27 AM

To make peace with a relative or friend from whom I am estranged.

Is it true that Jews doesn't know anything about Hitler's agenda to exterminate the Jews?

(186)
carol E. Ryan,
January 5, 2007 3:21 AM

A Wonderful article, you are so wise to see this a s first a spiritual battle then a military battle.How do I buy your book? Dr Carol E. Ryan

(185)
Jerry,
January 5, 2007 2:16 AM

Nelson Levine -- get your head out of the sand!

Sometimes reality is hard to look at. I can't believe some people don't take Ahmadenejad seriously. He has stated his intentions clearly. Have you learned nothing from the Holocaust? We need to do all we can -- physically and spiritually -- to make sure Iran doesn't go nuclear. I'm not about to put my trust in Ritter [an anti-Semite] and Ahmadinejad.

(184)
Marina Rivera,
January 4, 2007 11:12 PM

Look for one's roots. Where? In the Torah!

If one reads/studies the weekly parasha, year in and year out, finally one understands why we are to "remember" Shabbat, etc. It is because God, or Creator, wants us to.

(183)
david,
January 4, 2007 10:57 PM

tefillin

i will lay tefillin atleast once a week.

(182)
Anonymous,
January 4, 2007 5:58 PM

to make peace with david and esther

(181)
Morton Gale,
January 4, 2007 5:37 PM

BECOME A BETTER JEW!

I do pray several times a day, but I will increase the number and substance!

(180)
Sara Springer,
January 4, 2007 4:17 PM

Israel's vital first strike

Incorporate prayer daily

(179)
aliza,
January 4, 2007 4:12 PM

My undertaking

I have signed up for a Parshat HaShavua class, to learn more Torah each week. I will also, bli neder, strive to speak less Lashon Hora.

Thank you for the movitation!

(178)
Anonymous,
January 4, 2007 1:21 PM

Spend more time learning Torah with my children

In the Purim story, as understood by Chazal, the prayers and Torah learning of the Jewish children were key to Hashem's salvation. Although I already spend some time during the week and on Shabbat learning Torah with my chidren, I plan, Bli Neder, to learn with them more.

(177)
jerzy reichmann,
January 4, 2007 11:18 AM

survival of israel and jewish people

i am a survivor of the second world war,which i spent in warsaw until my familyÂ´s miraculous flight to italy in 1941. i am fanatically conected to israelÂ´s survival . its existence would at that time saved my whole family,which refused (!) to leave warsawi believe in god,but cannot fully understand our survival connected to religious formalistic actions .we survive because we have faith in our fate and have the will to fight on .we need more irgun or even stern gang mentality to go on. prayers and religious formaÃ§lism give moral support,but do not decide our fate. best regards ( i am one of the 3000 so called vatican jews who were able to reach italy during that dark period )

(176)
Nelson Levine,
January 4, 2007 9:49 AM

Sara "chicken little the sky is falling" Rigler

Though I don't disagree with what you say all Jews should do, namely: Teshuva stop speaking Loshen Hora ect, I will let the following letter written by a former weapons inspector tell the basic story of how I feel about your article:

Nathan Guttman | Fri. Dec 29, 2006A former United Nations weapons inspector and leading Iraq War opponent has written a new book alleging that Jerusalem is pushing the Bush administration into war with Iran, and accusing the pro-Israel lobby of dual loyalty and "outright espionage."

In the new book, called "Target Iran," Scott Ritter, who served as a senior U.N. weapons inspector in Iraq from 1991 to 1998 and later became one of the war's staunchest critics, argues that the United States is readying for military action against Iran, using its nuclear program as a pretext for pursuing regime change in Tehran.

"The Bush administration, with the able help of the Israeli government and the pro-Israel Lobby, has succeeded," Ritter writes, "in exploiting the ignorance of the American people about nuclear technology and nuclear weapons so as to engender enough fear that the American public has more or less been pre-programmed to accept the notion of the need to militarily confront a nuclear armed Iran."

Later in the book, Ritter adds: "Let there be no doubt: If there is an American war with Iran, it is a war that was made in Israel and nowhere else."

Ritter's book echoes recent high-profile attacks on the pro-Israel lobby by former President Jimmy Carter and by scholars Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer. Ritter, who recently returned from a weeklong speaking engagement on The Nation cruise, speaks of a "network of individuals" that pursues Israel's interests in the United States. The former weapons inspector alleges that some of the pro-Israel lobby's activities "can only be described as outright espionage and interference in domestic policies." Ritter also accused the American Israel Public Affairs Committee of having an inherent dual loyalty. He called for the organization to be registered as a foreign agent.

Representatives for both Aipac and the Israeli Embassy in Washington declined to comment on Ritter's accusations.

In his book, Ritter also accuses the pro-Israel lobby of invoking the memory of the Holocaust and of crying antisemitism whenever Israel is accused of betraying America. "This is a sickening and deeply disturbing trend that must end," Ritter writes.

According to Ritter, Iran is far from developing a nuclear weapons program and will not do so in the future if the world makes sure that stringent inspections are in place to verify that the Iranians live up to the requirements of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"If Iran does make a political decision to develop nuclear weapons, it will take them a decade and it won't go undetected," Ritter said. "But it will take the U.S. only five weeks to build up a force capable of destroying Iran by air strikes. It's a timeline of five weeks compared to a decade, so I'm not worried about taking a risk."

As for Israeli and American fears regarding Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president who vowed to "wipe Israel off the map," Ritter dubbed the leader a "sick joke" and asserted that he does not make the decisions in Tehran.

Ritter argues that the Bush administration knows that inspections can solve the Iranian nuclear problem but, at the urging of Jerusalem and its American allies, is in reality pursuing a different goal: regime change in Tehran.

"Israel has, through a combination of ignorance, fear and paranoia, elevated Iran to a status that it finds unacceptable," Ritter writes in his book. "Israel has engaged in policies that have further inflamed this situation. Israel displays arrogance and rigidity when it comes to developing any diplomatic solution to the Iranian issue."

Ritter is no stranger to controversy.

As a U.N. weapons inspector in Iraq, he headed several surprise inspection missions that were denied access to suspicious sites, and led to the Saddam Hussein regime accusing Ritter of being an American spy. The frequent refusal of the Iraqis to provide Ritter and his team access to sites of interest led eventually to the abandonment of the inspection regime in Iraq. Ritter resigned his post in 1998, accusing the United States and the U.N. of caving in to the Iraqis.

But Ritter later became a leading voice warning against taking military action against Iraq, arguing that a resumption of inspections would be sufficient to contain Hussein. He accused the United States of trying to use the U.N. inspection force for spying purposes and claimed that Iraq was deliberately held to higher standards than other countries in order to justify a military invasion.

In early 2004, Ritter charged in an interview on the Web site Ynet, operated by the daily Yediot Aharonot, that Israeli intelligence had deliberately overstated what it knew to be a minimal threat from Iraq in an effort to push America and Britain to launch a war. Ritter's accusations were roundly rejected across the Israeli political spectrum. Security officials interviewed by the Forward insisted that no branch of the military could or would deliberately skew the findings in that way, but they also said that Israeli intelligence tended to exaggerate threats because it was operating under flawed assumptions.

Now Ritter is arguing that a similar effort is under way to produce an attack against Iran.

Speaking to the Forward this week, Ritter stressed that he is not accusing all American Jews of having dual loyalty, saying that "at the end of the day, I would like to believe that most of American Jews will side with America."

Ritter is already working on his next book, due for publication in March 2007. In this tome, he sets out to teach the anti-war movements that he supports how to wage an effective campaign to win over American public opinion.

(175)
rachayl hahn,
January 4, 2007 8:21 AM

i am increasing my daily tehillim and working harder on my kavana during neitz tefilla.

(174)
Max Kayee,
January 4, 2007 6:27 AM

Please don't be too harsh on us......

An excellent article! At this time We need to pray and evoke G-d's mercies.I must disagree with a previous response by Mr Edward Yablonsky.I think you speak too harshly about your fellow Jew. Where in this wide world would G-d get a better people! There is so much good - please note it is hard to judge , only Hashem can do this.

(173)
Anonymous,
January 4, 2007 5:40 AM

To stop eating meat and dairy together

I completely agree. We need to be ready physically and spiritually and not take anything for granted. We have previous experiences to build on, so lets be smart and act before it's too late.

(172)
JJ,
January 4, 2007 4:38 AM

Become holier and get closer to Hashem.

To help, Bli neder, I'm gonna try to increase spiritual purity by being more modest in personal conduct. Also to get closer to our creator by avoiding impurity on the Internet.

(171)
Anonymous,
January 4, 2007 2:54 AM

Dealing with a different enemy

In the past history, Israel army entered the war against arab nations with a very powerful weapon, which is the fears of arab leaders that they might lose their power of leadership under a USA pressures, but things are totally different in Iran as a democratic countery

(170)
Chana Rachel,
January 3, 2007 11:26 PM

My Commitment

To honor my parents in a way that I have not done before.

(169)
Roger,
January 3, 2007 10:50 PM

Humble ourselves before HaShem

Sara is correct about the many dimensions of this battle. The question: "What is our response to be?" As I read the Tanach - the cyclic history of the Children of Israel (turning away from G-D; oppression; their crying out to G-D; His merciful restoration) and the proclamations of the Prophets - we need to seek HIM and respond accordingly.

(if) My people ï»¿who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.(2 Ch 7:14)

- Humility before G-D and seeking Him. Ester called the Jews to fast and pray with her before she acted. (Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, "Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; ï»¿ï»¿do not eat or drink for ï»¿ï»¿three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish." So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him. (Es 4:15-5:1) She then proceeded in faith.

- Remember what G-D has done before and move forward in faith. (And David said, "ï»¿The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "ï»¿ï»¿Go, and may the Lord be with you." (1 Sa 17:37)

- G-D's honor is at stake: (Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, ï»¿ï»¿but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. (1 Sa 17:45)

Let's not forget that Ahmadinejad is taunting HaShem with his "god" as Goliath did. We need to see this as G-D's battle, with His honor at stake. His "never ending" promise to Abraham is on the line. How many times in those words has He said "The battle is MINE?"

Remember the battles in which G-D fought the battle for His people: Gideon (Judges 6&7); Jehoshaphat (2 Chron 20); Hezekiah (2 Kings 19). Read their prayers of humility - WE have forgotten you G-D and turned away. Forgive US! In these last two cases, the Kings - the political leadership - called the people to fasting and prayer.

I don't think G-D wants us to think WE earned the victory through our rote actions; He searches the heart. Why did King Saul lose the kingdom because of his sin but David did not? It was David's response to G-D's confrontation and his broken heart.

Whether G-D fought the battle Himself or blessed the warriors under His banner, they sought Him first. The news is full of the corruption of Israel's leaders and the largely secular population. Could He be turning up the heat until His people turn back to Him? Will there be a purification by fire as He has warned? I pray not, but He IS the King of the Universe and all powerful.

For me, I will be humbling myself through fasting and praying, seeking His face, and looking at my life to see where I have fallen short and turn back to Him. Unfortunately, we in the US don't have the same covenant that Israel has and with our leadership's pressure on Israel to divide their Promised Land, currently OUR future looks bleak. Don't look to us as your salvation; G-D is jealous of Israel and wants their trust as protector - again, not a good position for the US to be in. Pray for us as well.

(168)
Jonathan Abrams,
January 3, 2007 9:48 PM

Ahavus Yisroel (Love of Your Fellow Jew) is the key!

BS"DSay a parent has two children, a *right* child and a *wrong* child. If the *right* child takes it upon himself to *correct*, i.e. smack, the *wrong* child, that act will usually elicit a much harsher response from the parent (against the *right* child) than the original act the *wrong* child did in the first place. One of the things a parent wants most is for their children to love each other, get along and correct, if necessary with love, while leaving discipline to the parents.

We are all G_D's children and each wants to believe that he/she is the *right* child. G_D is our Parent and wants, so to speak, for His children to *get along* and leave the discipline to Him. When we smack each other we elicit smacks from above that can take on many different forms. G_D can remove the hornets that sting us in the blink of a eye, if only we would work on not stinging each other.

(167)
Sarah,
January 3, 2007 9:32 PM

I saw you in Miami recently

I have just finished your book Holy Womanfor the 2nd time and I'm using a borrowed edition - my friend is going to buy me a copy for a belated Chanukah gift - I must have it for my own.

I will make a spiritual commitment to help us all thwart the mad-man in Iran...I haven't decided yet what it will be...and will post my comment when I know what it is. I want it to be the right spiritual response to this definite threat... if there ever was something positive that came out of the holocaust, it is the conviction and knowledge that has been passed to future generations of Jews to have a clear understanding that when someone threatens to exterminate you - that you'd better believe them....and act accordingly - sooner rather than later.sarah

(166)
Batya,
January 3, 2007 8:51 PM

be on time

Bli neder, I will try to plan my day so that I will be (more) on time for things, use my time better, and not keep people waiting.Thank you to Mrs. Rigler and to all the people who posted commitments, for taking responsibility to do what you can to help our nation. Tizku lemitzvos - may we show Hashem the response He's looking for!

(165)
Jeremy,
January 3, 2007 8:44 PM

Work on improving my Yiras Hashem

Hashem is so kind to us that he hides his presence to give us a chance to feel what it's like to have Free Will. To hold back from pulling the plug on mankind in the face of the 'dirt' we constantly (free will) choose to embrace in all aspects of our lives, must be a character trait that can only belong to Hashem. I would've given up on us by now.I'm going to (free will) choose to work on improving my awe, 'fear' and devotion to Hashem by sitting quietly for a few moments before davening each morning, and remember what a privilege it is to be on Hashem's stage.And when that quiet little voice tells me that I'm really in control of everything, and that I make my own luck, I'll remind it of the guy two years younger than me who suddenly didn't wake up one morning (he made his own luck, didn't he?), or the dumbest kid in our class who's now the wealthiest (I'm still brighter than him, so how did that happen?).Remember who's directing this play. Jews have the starring role - All we have to do is remember our lines and act them out with devotion. It's actually fun!Lastly, a Mishna from Avos: 'Perform His will as if it were yours, and he will treat your will as if it were His'.Thanks Sara for a great article.

(164)
suzan,
January 3, 2007 7:06 PM

Re: There is a time for prayer, and a time for action

I agree that prayer alone is not enough and there needs to be action in order to defeat our enemies. Some people though think that it's only the military that we help us to succeed. When really it's Hashem that decides whether or not we succeed. And so we need to do both, military and spiritual efforts.

(163)
maskit ben-moshe,
January 3, 2007 3:56 PM

powerful and real.

to learn the halachot of kibud av v'em and tske on some new aspect (ie. of this mitzvah).

(162)
Anonymous,
January 3, 2007 3:33 PM

to say tehillim everyday (bli neder)

(161)
Michele,
January 3, 2007 2:48 PM

davening

I commit to birchas hashachar (morning blessings) and birchas haTorah (blessings on the Torah) before noon each day.You really touched me with your article, I will share it with my family and friends.

(160)
Daniela,
January 3, 2007 2:48 PM

A few points...

First of all, I don't think anyone is suggesting that prayer should ever take the place of military or any physical action. Both were missing in '41. We didn't defend ourselves in either sphere, so before anyone claims that prayer didn't help back then, the punishment for allowing the sowing and blossoming of the Reform and Conservative movements in the 100 years before the Shoah was already set in any case, and so while we cannot say that prayer did or did not help those who perished, it did allow us to survive as a people. The time for spiritual action had come and gone, and now we are being called upon again to fix the damage they left. As another commented, we still have not fully stepped up to the plate. But we are indeed closer - ask any Jewish learning institution or Yeshiva and they will all tell you, there are more Jews studying Torah on a daily basis today than before the Holocaust, maybe even in history. As pious as we think everyone was back then, the quality of study was not the same, people did not regularly learn every day before going to work, the only people in Kollel or Yeshiva were young students and a small handful of men who learned instead of working, knowledge of basics was actually lacking in a lot of people, and many performed mitzvahs by wrote (sp?), without much intensity. Today we have a Ba'al Teshuva movement with a very real possibility that by the end of this century we will have more observant people with fuller belief and more knowledge and understanding of what they're doing than any other time in our history since the days of the first Beis Hamikdash.

However, while I love the idea of each person making a Teshuva commitment themselves, especially people who are already Shomrei Mitzvot, calling upon non-religious Jews to move closer to G-d must start with simple kiruv. So many Frum From Birth people are intimidated by this prospect, thinking that it's only the pervue of "trained professionals" and don't feel it's up to them to participate. They are SO wrong ! In my opinion (humbly speaking), we are going through this very tough time because we are ALL being called upon to participate in Kiruv in every way we can. This is the Tafkid of our generation. Every Orthodox Jew on the planet should be going out of their way to be kind, welcoming and warm, to any non-religious Jew they meet. There is a perception out there that the Orthodox are judgemental and elitist, even discriminatory. Is this wrong ? Mostly. Is it our fault ? Maybe, maybe not. But should we really concern ourselves with that ? How 'bout if we put all that aside, address this concern head on with kindness and stop laying blame and stop being suspicious. It's time we admited that today's assimilation problem, the fact that a shocking 85% of all Jews the world over are not observant, is something we Orthodox are being held responsible for and it's up to US to fix it. What does this mean ? It means that if you know a Jew who is not Orthodox, smile at them a little more. If they have questions about why you do what you do, answer them (with a smile!) even though you might be a little afraid or intimidated. Concerned with secular influences and being exposed to something forbidden ? STOP ! You need to be more secure in your beliefs and be more concerned about the neshama of your fellow Jew. They need your love and understanding - don't be afraid of their "bad" influence, be a GOOD influence on them !

So here's a proposal before I relay my commitment - every frum person reading this, make a commitment that you're going to invite at least one non-Frum person this year over for Shabbos. Different communities have different policies about non-Frum people driving to one's house to have one Shabbos meal, so if necessary, try to make these arrangments as kindly and considerately as possible. There are indeed good ways to explain why it is that you have to have a person sleep over if they can't walk to your house for a meal.

Now, my commitment ? Bli neder I'm going to increase my davening in the morning, and try harder to contact Rabbis who I know help poor families with their weddings so I can offer free beauty services to brides who can't afford it (mitzvah of Hachnasas Kallah).

(159)
Anonymous,
January 3, 2007 2:43 PM

To daven with more kavannah

I will try my best to daven with more kavannah each day. I daven Sharcharit and Mincha each day, but will try harder to not let my mind wander.

(158)
J. D. Adam,
January 3, 2007 1:58 PM

An important and powerful tool, based on Torah.

I committ to praying for the Peace of Israel and Jerusalem daily, instead of just when I think of it. Thank you for this opportunity.

(157)
Zamira,
January 3, 2007 1:47 PM

You make a lot of sense - hope many take your advice

You make a lot of sense. I hope many will take your advice. I'll have to think seriously as well. Say more of the approriate blessings before I eat

(156)
Yitchak,
January 3, 2007 10:10 AM

THE TRUTH

Let's stop "haking ah chynik" and do what we really know we should do, make aliyah to Israel. Anything less is pure verbiage.With a large observant population, Hashem could favor us rather than consider us bluffers and the tide could change -in our favor............

(155)
Anonymous,
January 3, 2007 9:06 AM

There is a time for prayer, and a time for action

Ms. Rigler, I'm sorry to inform you that spiritually we Jews as a whole are not any more spiritual than the people who lived in Europe 60 years ago. Thoes Jews who lived in Persia about 3000 years ago, did not have any other means of defending themselves, therefore they only prayed. Thanks G-d their prayers were answered. But in Europe no amount of prayers helped, and the result was the death of millions and suffering of millions more of our people. I do believe that prayer and faith are the most important protections against evil,but how strong are we spiritually as a nation? I'm sure we will again use threats from enemies as a way to invoke our trust in G-d, but the darkness that our enemies are enveloped in is too thick to be overcome easily. In spite of our efforts we may fail spiritually, therefore while improving ourselves and praying, its better to remember when even diplomacy is not working, military strategy is the most important issue,and thanks G-d we live in a time that even a small country like Israel can defend itself against many big contries with hundreds of millions of racist populations. We can pray as much as possible now, but when the danger is imminent, its better to act. When a wolf attack you, there is no time to sit back and think, you just defend yourself with whatever you have available.

(154)
Anonymous,
January 3, 2007 8:32 AM

My Commitment

One additional hour of Torah study daily.

(153)
darren,
January 3, 2007 7:38 AM

My Commitment

waking up early to do the amida and put on tefelin

(152)
Edward Yablonsky,
January 3, 2007 2:09 AM

Teshuvah and the LAw of Spir Causality

I found your article interesting and meaningful,and have incorporated some steps already .Tutoring children in reading.When Moshiach comes it will be for the whole world whether we chose to be enlighteners or not. My background through my mother (lineage is imporant) is Brisk Poland. I have heard the Shiurim of Rav YOSEPH Baer Soloveitchik in the US and download them. R Ari Kahn has stated that American Jews during the Holocaust failed to cry out for their brothers and Rav Soloveitchik under whom he studied said he wanted a new prayer in our lexicon to betoken these crys that never were. We have never risen to the occasion and that is why Moshiach will come on time but not early. Suffering only for a 2000 year exile was the only merit we could obtain. In the 40's we feared man more than The Holy One and feared being killed or tortured in the US and our fear translated into silence. Let's be honest to return to God requires a first step of the fear of God taught in our mishlei. R Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk or Chaim of Volyzyn stated to have the petrifying fear of sin and thus of God which Jewry only had in moments,which never endured because they chose it not to endure. This fear never developed in Jewry and suffering in the Holocaust was the only resultant merit to elevate them ,or rectify. We as a nation never matured into the love of God from fear on an enduring scale except when the tragedy prior to Purim developed as detailed in the Megillah of Esther.Our brief elevating at Sinai when every maid was on a level of nevi exceeding even that of Yechezkel was short lived and the sin of the Eygeh or golden calf marred our spirituality and sinach chinum marred our elevation in the time of the students of Akiva and caused their plague. We had temporary respite at Purim divinely mandated to serve for the preserving of our people.Will that endure? We have committed the most egregious sin ever in the world through our failure to elevate the world at prior imposing moments and have paid dearly with the greatest suffering tikun and rectification. This sin was as a virus and disease to us as explained in the Shiur on the Holocaust by Rav Yaakov Weinberg ZTL. It's still here and has not been repented for.We have not maintained the petrifying fear of sin that we should have. Massive repentance is in order but not in little doses for the children of Israel.I have read of our people that during the second temple the kavod presence filled the temple of our fathers and this instilled so much fear that men's joints came out of their bones. No wonder Sagan announced the following .On your knees and on your faces Hakodosh Borchu has enetered among you. We need this kind of fear and maturity for these times and nothing short of this will avail us.

(151)
Anonymous,
January 3, 2007 1:42 AM

To be more sensitive to others, and more specifically to my husband

I will try to be more emotionally in tuned to my husband and his needs. I will also really try to control my initial reactions to everything. Silence is golden.I will also think more than twice before I say anything. This is not easy for me.

(150)
Chana (Jenny) Weisberg,
January 3, 2007 1:12 AM

My commitment

I commit to saying psalm number 20 every day, a special psalm for times of danger.

Thank you for this important and powerful article.

(149)
S,
January 2, 2007 11:57 PM

my commitment

I will try to give tzedakah regularly each month instead of haphazardly.

(148)
SharleneAncell Kark,
January 2, 2007 8:03 PM

I will keep more of the Halachot of Shabbos.

Shabbos has always been very meaningful to me. Now I will keep more of the Halachot of Shabbos to become closer to Hashem and persuade him to help us in this time of crises.

(147)
Anonymous,
January 2, 2007 7:43 PM

daily prayer

I will add daily prayer to my routine.

(146)
Akiva,
January 2, 2007 5:04 PM

prayer and action

I pledge, bli neder, to a more intensely conducted t'shuvah and pray for the capacity to accomplish it.

(145)
Daniel,
January 2, 2007 4:37 PM

Will study more the Torah

and pray to G-d for diplomacy

(144)
Anonymous,
January 2, 2007 2:17 PM

my commitment

Caroline Glick is a serious political writer. Not as far as I am aware one who voices her opinions on the relationship between the spiritual and the physical. For her to call upon Jews to do Tshuvah and commit to increasing their Mitzvoth observances would be welcome[by me] but unexpected.I don't fault her for not mentioning it. Those who see the hand of God in what happens or believe on faith may/should be reached thru Sara Rigler's article. If others decide to follow her advice that's great, but it seems mto me that the Orthodox Jewish community needs to take the lead. I may be mistaken but advising the masses from non practicing Orthodox thru outspoken atheist Jews to commit to wearing tefillin one day a week,light shabbos candles,avoid speaking or listening to gossip,cut out cheese burgers,etc in response to the Iranian threat is unlikely to have much effect.I hope I am being overly pessimistic.I am afraid that we are truly in 1941 and I am committing to honoring my parents in a manner not previously done and to learning Torah an additional hour per week.If I am doing this as a result of this article maybe others will as well. Another reason I hope her words are heeded is that a military strike against Iran by Israel would be blamed on the USA who have over 100,000 troops in Iraq. At present they would be within easy range of a major retaliatory strike by Iran. It is unlikely the USA will give Israel permission to attack at this time and as I understand it Israel is not able to do this without US cooperation.

(143)
EyesOPENED,
January 2, 2007 1:14 PM

LOVE other Jews

As a secular Jew who has no education in HOW to be observant, I do believe and have faith in Hashem. I always pray regularly to HIM for Israel. (and for guidance in all of my life)My personal teshuvah is to find forgiveness of my enemies who I have come to hold hatred in my heart (Iranian Shiite ISLAM, 9-11 bombers and Palestinians and all Nazis)My fears of Holocuast 2 have turned me to hate. And the steady stream of propaganda it's proponents spew 24/7 angers me, frustrates me makes me feel sick to my stomach.

But as my fears are reality based and backed by nukes and crazy men and history is repeating, I promise to continue to speak out to educate (in particular) my fellow Jews who have turned their backs on Judaism and Israel and in some cases, God himself. Even if this causes me to to be looked at with ridicule and scorn.(it has)I will pray and do mitzvah as I can and already do but I will NOT stand idle and allow the world to let Israel be destroyed or sacrificed piece by piece for a false peace with an enemy who cannot be diplomacized away. And has no intention for peace with Israel.NEVER AGAIN. if I were younger I would make Aliyah join the IDF and put this into reality in a physical way, as it is I can only fight with my words, but I vow to fight for Jews to survive. Shout it from the roof tops, the LIARS are winning in the USA>>>>> look around. The Jews of Germany were the MOST wealthy and assimilated Jews anywhere in any nation. USA is not immune to anti semitism, the slightest encouragements show us how easily our fellow Americans believe the lies of Elders of Zion, apartheid and other nasty Hezzbo-lies about Israel. Average Americans and even our senators do not understand the difference of a Shia and a Sunni, KNOW nothing of the TRUE history of ISRAEL, do not understand the enemy and how they condsider non Muslims as dhimmi and second class BY LAW.Never any mentnionpf the atrocities commited daily in the name of Islam. ONLY Israel is criticized.IN Holocaust no one asked your temple affiliation, your level of orthodoxy, Jewish name or relatives you went to the ovens.Genocide the real thihng not the Pal PR version is happening in Darfur and other places where Islam is aggressing. Islamis agressing agasint USA, Israel, any democracy, any Islam sects not approved (Copts, sufis, etc),christians in Lebanon under siege. WAKE UP JEWS PLEASE,,,,,,,Wake up Americans, DEMOCRATS please research, do not give Iraq to the Shiites in Iran.....

both cannot be true

Abraham sacrificed ISSACthere is no mention of Ishmael in the storyOne is word of God one is word of a man named Mohammed, which do you beleive?

(142)
Carol Racklin-Siegel,
January 2, 2007 12:56 PM

We are now living in Israel!

I think about this every day... and what to do about it. Thank you for this wonderful article. It really helps to have someone just spell it out for us. This is what I will do: The hardest thing in the world for me to do is to pray. I will try to pray every morning and to reach out and speak to G-d.

(141)
Fangyu,
January 2, 2007 11:43 AM

Thanks

Mrs. Rigler, great article. Thanks.

(140)
Sam Hager,
January 2, 2007 11:33 AM

When will the world learn??

Another period in history and again there are those who wish to destroy the Jews - again.

(139)
shae,
January 2, 2007 10:45 AM

As a christian I find that in wide spectrum of cultures and beliefs of people you will find very few who truely love others that are different. "Love thy neighbor" -even if they don't believe what you believe or think the way you think. A few drops of people who embrace differences mark history in the hearts of others which leads to forgiveness, hope, love and change. My prayer is with you that God protect the people of Israel

(138)
Anonymous,
January 2, 2007 10:20 AM

reponse to Sara Rigler's article

In response to Sara Rigler's article I am making a commitment to daily prayer.

(137)
Anonymous,
January 2, 2007 10:12 AM

Morning Brachos

Bli neder, I will try to say birchos haShachar and birchos haTorah each morning, as a merit for security in Israel.

(136)
Devorah,
January 2, 2007 9:56 AM

Krias Shma

I will im yirtzeh Hashem commit to saying the full krias shema sheal hamitah each night as a zechus for klal yisrael-- Hinei Lo Yanum V'lo Yishan Shomer Yisrael. We must all try to focus on the truth of this pasuk, that Hashem, who guards Israel, does not slumber or sleep, and is always with us.Thank you so much, Mrs. Rigler, for this beautiful article and for providing me with the impetus to put into words a kabbalah I've wanted to fully take on for a long time.

(135)
yehoshua,
January 2, 2007 9:55 AM

my commitment

to study the torah daily and continue to pray for the peace of Israel

(134)
Aryeh,
January 2, 2007 9:27 AM

I undertake to do something once a week to help out a single individual who is looking to get married.

I undertake to do something once a week to help out a single individual who is looking to get married (bli neder).

(133)
Diane Hartman Cudo,
January 2, 2007 9:01 AM

Crucial exhortation for this moed.

B'ezrat Hashem, I will increase my prayer time and intensity, including thanks giving for our delivery before we see it.

(132)
Barry Miller,
January 2, 2007 9:01 AM

Say one more Tehillim each day

Say an extra tehillim each day specifically in response to the Iranian nuclear threat.

(131)
Batya,
January 2, 2007 8:06 AM

Forgive someone

I undertake to work hard to forgive a specific person who hurt me [mitzva of loving one's neighbor]

(130)
Noa Matthews,
January 2, 2007 7:59 AM

My commitment

I will light the Shabbat candles before sunset on Friday and I will incorporate prayer,especially for Israel, into my life on a daily basis.

(129)
Garry Harris,
January 2, 2007 7:54 AM

Stirring stuff

Dear Sara,Your article is very thought provoking and stirring stuff. I hope your message gets through to many people and they see its sense. Yours suggestions on how to be a better Jew are very easy to incorporate into one's life. It can only serve to make this a better, safer world in which to live. (The article is difficult to read in its entirety due to pressure of time and its length). Best wishes, Garry Harris, Hertfordshire, UK.

(128)
Necha Golda Dubinsky,
January 2, 2007 3:50 AM

My Commitment, invite you to Gem, a spiritual response for Jewish women 30+

I undertake to work harder to let Jewish Women 30+ know about Aish's Gem Israel Learning Experience, a 10-day program in the Old City, Jerusalem. The next session is scheduled for April 30 - May 10, 2007. If you have a deep love and interest for your Jewish roots and an excitement about expanding your knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a Jewish woman and you want to make the kind of spiritual response Sara is talking about, Gem is for you. The curriculum includes Jewish Philosophy, Improving Relationships, Personal Growth, Understanding Suffering, The Afterlife, History, Israel, Prayer and more. Special tours and an inspiring Shabbat experience are sure to light up your soul. And you'll forge lasting friendships with English speakers worldwide. For more info and to apply online, go to aish.com, click on "Programs in Israel" on the left sidebar, then click on "Gem". Looking forward to seeing you sparkle in the Palace of the King this Spring.

(127)
Anonymous,
January 2, 2007 12:19 AM

I am not Jewish but a friend of Israel and the Jews. I will pray for Israel as often as I can because of what you say is true

My prayers for Israel

(126)
Laya,
January 1, 2007 11:50 PM

My Commitment

I undertake to pray from the siddur or say some tehillim every day. I will also send this article to people on my list and hope that a chain will begin because I do believe we can change the course of history.

Thank you for this. Yashar Koach!

(125)
Yohanan,
January 1, 2007 11:32 PM

Thank U

Thank U Sara!

(124)
Mil_Kra,
January 1, 2007 10:34 PM

Are we at all able to do that?

I do not think that we, the novadays Israelites are able to respond spiritually and collectively to any annihilation threat. We do not have that kind of leadership nor we have any individual with required personality and ability to act under God's leadership. Therefore prepare for the worst...

(123)
Menashe Kaltmann,
January 1, 2007 10:25 PM

We are all together.....

Again aish.com and Mrs Rigler a good and timely article. We the Jewish People all need to get together and speak good of another. Even us in Australia pray for the welfare of Israel!There is a Chassidic saying whereby we should see our fellow Jew always with the 'right eye" not the "left" meaning which should see our fellow Jew and give him/her a "limud zechus" give him/her the benefit of the doubt.

Let's pray for the imminent coming of Moshiach and no more terrible 'tzoros' troubles. As it says in Tehillim "Ak Tov Le'Yisroel" Only good for Israel!

(122)
mary williams,
January 1, 2007 10:11 PM

My heart was so touched by your article. I pray every day for Israel.

(121)
B,
January 1, 2007 9:33 PM

commitment

1. After 9/11, I heard Rav Nissel suggest that the mincha (afternoon) prayer is the Jews' way - especially the women -- to strike back at the descendents of Ishmael (who also have some of G-d's blessing).

2. To strive to eat only Pas Yisroel on Shabbos.. a particular resistance of mine and recently brought to my attention. Who am I to say which mitzvah is now "important?" Perhaps now is the time!

(120)
Samuel,
January 1, 2007 8:58 PM

Commitment

I undertake to work very seriously towards making Aliyah.

(119)
ron copeland,
January 1, 2007 8:46 PM

the old ways are for our times

purim or any outher time i want to reflect on ways to get closer to god love thy neigbor is a diffucult thing for me but knowing that so much is at stake it is a must do for me outherwise i couldn't feel right and i want to do something to help before this ariticle i said what can i do? so thanks for your thoughts sara! ron

(118)
Dov Ber Nechemya,
January 1, 2007 8:12 PM

Hashem V'Am Yisrael Echad

I take on the mitzvah to not speak Lashon Hara. And to rebuild our Temple with prayer and devotion to Hashem.

(117)
kathy,
January 1, 2007 8:01 PM

Great Article.

I believe in Israel!Prayer works.Trust and believe in the power of God.Trust him and have faith in his love for Israel~!

(116)
Manasseh,
January 1, 2007 6:26 PM

Anenu Maguen Avraham, Anenu

"Answer us oh SHIELD of Abraham, Answer us"Believe my words Oh Ysrael,There are more people all over the world who have your welfare at heart than you can imagineShalom Yrushalayim,Shalom

(115)
Joseph Lazarus,
January 1, 2007 5:41 PM

Teshuva, Deeds, Pray, and Fight!

Resolve and follow through G-d most certainly wants us to repent and we face a desparate struggle. Speak to one other person each day and have them join our struggle, it's vital!

(114)
Russell,
January 1, 2007 4:59 PM

Katrina?

You write, "A survivor of Katrina standing on a rooftop in New Orleans waiting for hours to be rescued may blame the rescue workers manning the boats. Later investigation, however, would reveal that the failures of the rescue teams stemmed from the lack of preparedness in the pertinent municipal and state agencies. Further investigation would reveal that the source of the failure went even higher -- to the Federal Emergency Management Agency."

In light of points of your article, the primary reason Katrina had so many victims is that a great number of people refused to heed government-issued storm warnings and, ultimately, found themselves in serious, life-threatening peril. They, and others, may have blamed the government (particularly FEMA) for not helping them, but when your life is on the line, you don't wait for someone else to bail you out of trouble -- you do everything in your power to take care of yourself and prevent being caught in a catastrophic situation.

A point of your article is that Iran has issued a warning and people need to do several things to avert disaster. The "top-down" theory is true in a theological sense, but the eventual test is going to be what Jewish people, themselves, do -- will they heed the warnings and take action, or will they be Katrina-like and await disaster to strike them? If it was necessary to use Hurricane Katrina as an example of failure, a better point could have been made by pointing out the Katrina victims' refusal to act in the face of a threat and reiterating the Jewish philosophy to pray as if everything depended on God, but to act as if everything depended on us.

(113)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2007 3:36 PM

my commitment

I undertake bli neder to offer help once a week to a family in need (especially to mothers who have just given birth).

(112)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2007 3:36 PM

My fighting way

I have commited to willfuly not speaking Lashon HaRa during a specific time slot (between 6pm and 11pm) every day, at least. I have also commited to make Aliya and add to the numbers already in Eretz Israel.

(111)
Yael,
January 1, 2007 3:16 PM

Let go a little more

I take upon myself a renewed resolve not to stress about the various pressures and unknowns in life. I will let go a little more and allow G-d to 'run the show'. I will remember that I am capable and talented in my own special way, but all my successes come from G-d and he will take care of me whether I worry or not. So, I will try not to worry and stress so much.

(110)
shoshana,
January 1, 2007 3:15 PM

the comments of the article have moved me to tears

I have read only 10 comments so far to Mrs. Rigler's article, and I have decided to commit myself to change as well. I believe that as we improve for the better G-d will evaluate us as different and better people, and hopefully not allow this atrocity. I will work very hard on lovingkindness. I am sad to know that many poeple have enstranged relationships, and in my own family I will strive to keep the knots stronger, especially in those most challenging. Thank you all for your inspiring me to do this. May this bring us one step closer to ultimate peace.

(109)
Ilan,
January 1, 2007 3:11 PM

So true

We must be very careful to check our tefillin straps because if they are cracked the missiles will get through. Yes, G-d is indeed punishing Israel for our failure to put on tefillin.

(108)
yehoshua,
January 1, 2007 2:45 PM

thanks

thanks sarah, your piece touches the right soul spots. she'koach.

(107)
Juan Urich,
January 1, 2007 2:44 PM

My comment

As a practicing Catholic I am now aware in a tangible way of Spiritual causality and the value of prayer. Perhaps if more Christians, Jews, and true muslims, understood the need for prayer and how it works we would not suffer so many ailments. The Lords Peace be with all of us.

(106)
david,
January 1, 2007 2:26 PM

prayer

Dear Mrs. Rigler, In the USA we Jews sometimes feel sheltered from the storms threatening the Holy Land. BUT WE ARE NOT. Just like the Jews everywhere in the Persian sphere of influence were affected by haman's decree then, so too are we affected by aHAMAdiNejad (HAMAN)'s decree today, everywhere. We have to FEEL the threat here in the USA as much as you feel it there. May G-d have mercy and save us all. All Jews are one, "united we stand, divided we fall." The antiSemites realize our oneness, they hate us all the same, and we have to love each other the same. That is our salvation. In this week's parsha, Samson the shofet is hinted at in Yisroel avinu's bracha to Dan. First you have to have "yachad shivtei Yisroel;" then and only then can you have "lishuascha kivisi haShem."PS. please feel free to utilize this idea in your future heartfelt articles, which always move me and inspire me and, I'm sure, a multitude of other Jews. Perhaps i should write as well...How would i submit them to Aish?With gratitude, david.

(105)
Sarah,
January 1, 2007 2:05 PM

Tzedakah

I commit to putting money in the pushkah at least every erev shabbat l'ma'an Eretz Yisrael

(104)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2007 1:54 PM

with tears in my eyes

I will take on a mitzvah that I cannot mention, yet it will be in the form of not doing a particular aveiroh. (I will do teshuvah on this)

(103)
Ilan,
January 1, 2007 12:07 PM

my mitzvah

Thank you for inspiring me! I will put on tefillin once a week (if not more often) now. Although I did it before, I stopped. I will now do it again and maybe engage myself a bit more in my Jewish community.

(102)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2007 11:50 AM

commitment

I'll try to be more careful b"n regarding tefilla/prayer (on time and with concentration).

(101)
Mosheh Wolfish,
January 1, 2007 11:43 AM

T'shuva must be done with humility

I am troubled by grandiose proclamations, such as, "A Jewish response to the threat of nuclear extinction that includes only physical (political and military) solutions but omits spiritual solutions is doomed to failure, just as a test with 50% correct answers merits a failing grade." In reality, what is a passing grade is an arbitrary decision. Chassidus teaches that the verse, "L'oseh nifla'os g'dolos l'vado, Ki l'olam chasdo", should be understood to mean that HaShem does His wonders even without our merit - L'vado. Similarly, the Zohar states that Avraham Avinu was spared death in Nimrod's fiery furnace, not because he truly believed in HaShem and was willing to sacrifice all, but in the merit of Ya'akov who would come from him. My point is that we are obligated to do what HaShem has commanded us - period. We beg and plead that He turn to us with favor and accept our t'shuvah. But we must ALWAYS remember that He is m'rumam al hakol - that He is above our understanding, rules and predictions. Besides ahavas chinom, which you rightly demand of us, we must also have emunah sh'leimah - complete and perfect belief that He controls everything and that everything that He does is the absolute and most perfect best! Whether He saves us because we deserve it or not! Finally, chassidus teaches from the Zohar that we should not daven for our salvation, nor the salvation of the Jewish people. Rather we should daven for the salvation of the Sh'chinah, kavyachol, Who suffers our pain with us, and is humiliated by the state of golus. To paraphrase Moshe Rabeinu, "Why should the Ahmadinejads, the Abbas', the Nasrallahs, the Mubaraks, the David Dukes, the Jim Bakers, the Farakhans say "Where is your G-d?""

(100)
marilyn delevante,
January 1, 2007 11:41 AM

wonderful article........I agree with EVERYTHING YOU SAY.

It is VITAL for all Jews to be united & to stop running each other down...we may not agree with everything that other groups of Jews believe &/or practice, but if Jews will not be together then WHO will be with us?I want to try and support other Jews to support Israel....I am from JAMAICA

(99)
JBGallant,
January 1, 2007 11:18 AM

This will I do

II CHRONICLES 7:14 If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

(98)
Frank Parrish,
January 1, 2007 11:16 AM

commitment to change

To learn Torah one hour a week more than you presently do.

(97)
Alan N. Finkelstein,
January 1, 2007 10:45 AM

Excellent article on Iranian threat

I think Ahmadinejad is nuts! Do I think he will pull the trigger? No. I also believe that most Jewish people do not believe in the power of Hashem. They do not think about such matters. Even fewer believe in the coming of Moschiach. And to bring Moschiach will take all Jews living in concert with Hashem. So here's my question to the Rabbi: How do you get all Jews believing in Moschiach and who is going to tell all Jews how to act in the same way to ensure the unity of the Nation? Whose Yiddshkeit values are to be followed? Chabad, Satmar, so on and so forth. How do you get a nation with people of independent thought to unite under one umbrella? Whose Yiddishkeit will be determined to THE One all Jews should follow. I await your answer.

(96)
Sandy Prusher,
January 1, 2007 10:38 AM

Light candles before sunset on Friday.

Saying "Shabbat Shalom" to our daughter before sunset her time (in Jerusalem) makes the arrival of Shabbat extra special to all of us.

(95)
ray,
January 1, 2007 10:37 AM

The Flood of Fire

will try to waste less time on the internet.

but the whole world is in trouble, not just israel.

The midrash says on the verse where G-d swore that He will not destroy the world again with water.

the midrash says "with water he won't destroy it again, but with fire he will"(Midrash Raba bereishis parsha 39)

(94)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2007 9:47 AM

I'll always pray that every man & woman must not be consummate pride.

I cannot agree why Islam are very eager to annihilate the Jew., same in the philippines as the communist want exterminate the democratic rule.but I do hope that "God" will intervene to those wicked man., I"ll always pray for that.God Bless Us All.

(93)
Tevya,
January 1, 2007 8:27 AM

Daily Prayer

I will immediately begin praying yo G-d for strength in softening the hearts of those who hate our brethren...Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. It's time for healing between Palestinian and Jew and between Muslim extremists and fundamentalist Jews.

(92)
Tehillah,
January 1, 2007 8:18 AM

Re-committment

Dear Sara,

Thanks for another wake up call! I read (and loved) Holy Woman - it made a serious difference in my life. I've been so busy lately trying to make the money we need to make aliyah that I have let prayer and study slip. I have just signed up with Tele-partners in Torah, with their help I will do my part in the spiritual realm.

Be Well,Tehillah

(91)
Joe Buchanan,
January 1, 2007 6:58 AM

Great article!

I'm not jewish, but I know what you say to be the truth.

(90)
Susan,
January 1, 2007 6:33 AM

I stand in support of Israel

As one whose life is committed to the G-d of Abraham, Israel and Jacob I know that the future of all mankind is tied to Israel. And I agree with all of Sara's points. I will pray daily, not just occasionally, for the peace of Jerusalem/Israel. And I will boldly speak out in support of Israel's right to exist whenever the opportunity arises.

(89)
david,
January 1, 2007 6:09 AM

Israel is not alone !

I undertake the responsibility to honor my parents and elderly people and pray to G-D every day for the people of Israel and the threat that they are facing.Jews in Israel shouldn't worry,let those arabs know that Israel is our land and they are not getting a single square inch of it.They tried to destroy Israel in 1948,1967 & 1973 but each time we defeated those murderers.This time will be the same.With G-d's help we shall kick Iran back to the stone ages.May G-D be with all of you living in Israel.

(88)
ilana solomon,
January 1, 2007 6:01 AM

i am committing (bli neder)to take on 5 minutes of hitbodedut a day (talking to G-d in my own words)to form a deeper connection with him.

(87)
Rebecca,
January 1, 2007 5:55 AM

Take the time to read The Family Parsha

Most weeks I am so inundated with email and my busy schedule that I delete The Family Parsha email without reading it. Today I took the time to read it and realized what I have been missing. I will not only read The Family Parsha, but use it to teach my 6 month old son about his heritage.

(86)
John Hubbard,
January 1, 2007 4:25 AM

Looking from the outside.

I am not a Jew, but I care for your people and the word of God. I an a Seventh-day Adventist.

With reguard to Jacob. We all know that he wrestled all night with the commander of the host. In doing so he became a changed man.

He had now put complete trust in his saviour-God.

So what does God want of the Jewish nation today? Something to think about.

(85)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2007 4:19 AM

all too true

the mitzvah of love thy neighbor by trying unceasingly to recover the friendship of a lost dear friend.

(84)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2007 3:33 AM

It Worked Before...

I recall learning that, once upon a time, we Jews were faced with an impending battle aimed at wiping us off the face of the earth (so what's new? ... sigh). The leader of the Jewish people assigned twice as many to the job as were needed to fight. Why? Because half of those assigned were told only to pray: to pray for those fighting, to pray for the people, the land, the nation. It worked and we won.

I also recall a question supposedly asked at a high-level seminar at West Point in 1968 (I think). The attendees were learning about war strategy when one asked, "But how do you explain the Six Day War and Israel's success?" The answer went something like: "Don't bring that up. That was a miracle."

HaShem has promised to preserve the Jewish people forever. What we need to do now is convince those who are more secular that prayer actually is a valid option and that they should participate. I believe that if more prayer could be offered up by people of all persuasions, HaShem would be pleased.

What is my commitment as per this article? I shall, bli neder, try to say Psalms 20, 83, 121, 130, and 142 every day during daylight hours for Eretz Yisrael and her safety.

To all who commented here, and to Sara Yocheved Rigler, Tizku l'mitzvot!

(83)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2007 1:42 AM

Morning prayers

This is a very powerful article. I am going to pray every single morning.

Thank you so much for your article.

(82)
mary makias,
January 1, 2007 1:41 AM

i will stop complaining and be thankful

(81)
tsyd,
January 1, 2007 12:45 AM

nous

To become more perfect as was man when he was only soul . To seek truth and not destroy it . not to become a sophisticate and make a lye .

(80)
Lauren,
December 31, 2006 11:15 PM

Kibud Av V'Eim

I take on to begin to learn the halochos of respecting my parents, and I will endevour to apply them into my relationship with my parents. This may be difficult, I love them so much and really would like to show them a higher level of respect than I currently do. Hopefully HaShem will see this and bring peace and love to our Nation.

(79)
Bartholomew,
December 31, 2006 10:15 PM

Wise council

My son at 10 yrs old asked me;"Dad why are all the men in our family been in the military? "I told him;" short answer or long answer. "" He said ; short answer. "I said; " Human nature. "

(78)
Phyllis Ruth Hoffman,
December 31, 2006 9:46 PM

Do not forget your spirituality when assessing the situation in Iran.

This was an excellent article written by Sarah Rigler. I will commit to reading Torah once a week with our Torah Group at the Synagogue. This situation requires Diplomacy, Military Response and Spirituality.

(77)
sjhepner,
December 31, 2006 9:42 PM

Terrible tongue...

I am going to undertake to curb the terrible tongue..for me, my family and friends...I guess the corollary is to curb the terrible thought... which usually precedes the terrible tongue...I am really going to try...

your article is good...

(76)
Alla,
December 31, 2006 9:18 PM

Thanks!

Thanks a lot for opening our eyes to the daunting reality that is hanging over our heads, which we are choosing to dismiss till G-d forbid it will be too late. I will personally try to stay positive towards my children during the most difficult evening hours and convey love instead of irritation and short-temperedness. Thanks!

(75)
g eorg ginzburg,
December 31, 2006 9:16 PM

author of the book A Will to Live

exellent and true. Holocaust survivor.To strike first is the best defence.

(74)
Shirley,
December 31, 2006 9:05 PM

this writing has inspired me

I am not religious or a believer but the relevance has struck me profoundly.I am in complete agreement. I promise to call a relative I haven't been in contact with for a long time and make amends.

(73)
Zacharia Mathews,
December 31, 2006 8:28 PM

God's blessing

The time is to pray now. Just like Goliath is attacked, let's say loudly, We be with God with praises in our lips and tears in our eyes, Lord God,is our shield. It is required to neuralise the enemy by ourselves with the power of God. Let's do it.

(72)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 8:28 PM

New commitment

I can attempt to say tehillim more often. It has seemed foreign to me as a baalas teshuva, too difficult to attempt. However, after attempting it for various reasons this summer, I was starting to get the hang of it. Doing it improves my feeling of connection with Hashem and gives me more confidence with Hebrew. I can bear in mind prayers to avert the Iranian nuclear threat. Thank you to the author for this article and the personal prompting.

(71)
Y. Novograd,
December 31, 2006 8:18 PM

Thanks so much for this essay! Before mentioning my commitment, I'd like to quote Rabbi Noah Weinberg, who concludes in his article Siege of Jerusalem: "If you know something-- teach it." So here goes.I know and have used a good system for reviewing and remembering what I've studied. Basically, in addition to learning something new each day, review the segment (of the book you're studying) which you first studied on the previous day, plus the segment of one week ago and also of the day three months before that.Got that? I've been doing this for a few months with one book, but haven't been consistent with "The Code of Jewish Law" and a commentary, of which I've been learning one law each day. That would be just one way to work towards Mrs. Rigler's fifth suggestion, so I undertake (but no promises!) to try it again. I'm glad my wife has agreed to allow me the slot of time I chose to work on this each evening; my kids will hopefully catch on to this-- my newest change of schedule; and my study partner for that new daily segment...he'll probably encourage me...his name "happens" to be Mordechai!

(70)
Yaffa M.,
December 31, 2006 8:15 PM

We truly are one.

Be'ezrat Hashem, I will try to undertake making peace between my family and a certain cousin we seperated ourselves from a few years ago. Hashem will have mercy on us!

(69)
Rev. Lee Thomson,
December 31, 2006 8:13 PM

ALL Nominal Believers Should Pray and Obey!

This is a wonderful article, and a very timely reminder for ALL believers to obey G-d every day and just WATCH the power of our prayers, which G-d strengthens and always answers (just not always as we desire). I'm a Christian who is very concerned for the safety of Israel and Jerusalem, and wish the USA would just DO ITS DUTY about Ahmadinejad and his nearly-there-nukes. Why should Israel take on this horrific burden!? It's already hated enough, for no good reason, as usual. We are praying and we LOVE YOU ALL! I promise to read and forward on even MORE www.aish.com articles, as well as give more and with JOY!Rev. Lee ThomsonCascade, Idaho, USA

(68)
Donald,
December 31, 2006 8:07 PM

My New Mitzvot

I am in 100% agreement with this article! And to do my part... instead of inconsistent davening, I will endeavor to do so at least once per day.

(67)
Maida W Genser,
December 31, 2006 8:06 PM

We can do more to be with God

I liked this article, but it did not go far enough. We should learn to act with compassion in our lives to please God. That would mean going vegetarian and avoiding, as much as possible cruel and unnecessary exploitation of animals. We would make changes in our lives to consume less and be less destructive to the environment.

(66)
carol,
December 31, 2006 7:38 PM

i committ ont to lose my temper any more

when i get stressed or feel rejected by my close people i have in the past given way to loosing my temper in a cutting way the same as my mother did. today i saw it and was able to decide not to lose it with my daughter. it was difficult and painful but i said nothing. i did not achieve anything by not loosing my temper except my daughter wordked out her difficulty by facing it herself without my added issues and i felt hugely victorious over this area. i know it destroyed my marriage, my relationship with my son and fear of it has kept me from entering another relationship for 10yrs. i have had a breakthrough today and now i have at last seen it i committ to G-d to continue this onwards to bring shalom

(65)
julia,
December 31, 2006 7:33 PM

lashon hara

I have often spoken of the orthodox as the amish of the jews. I will refrain from doing this.

(64)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 7:29 PM

I am not a Jew but a Christian from Singapore.Your principles in the article, Israel Vital Strike by Sara Gigler are right.....in any situation. It is always the spiritual first. I pray for the Nation of Israel

(63)
sue mccartney,
December 31, 2006 7:18 PM

very enlightening, interesting and accurate

I undertake to keep lighting Shabbat candles, give tzadakah and to pray every day from a Jewish prayer book.

(62)
Gary Katz,
December 31, 2006 7:06 PM

Teshuva

I will do more volunteer work to start my Teshuva. Gary Katz

(61)
Larin R. Kerr,
December 31, 2006 7:04 PM

Teshuva

My first response to this article: AMEN!Your first suggestion is perhaps the most significant as there needs to be a unified plea before God. The "me" and "my" philosophy of the last 40 years has shown its destructive force already.I renew my commitment to the study of Torah and for prayer for ALL Israel/Jews. [I am currently keeping up with "A Daily Dose of Torah." Frequently doing the extra study/learning/checking the references.]<>

(60)
Stephen Gordon,
December 31, 2006 7:00 PM

Pray softly but carry a bigger stick!

Sprituality should not come at the expenses of physical strength!The lesson of the Holocaust was that the Jews waited for Divine Intervention. That was a mistake. "G-d helps those that help themselves!" Israel - and the Jews - must never lose sight of the fact that it is the military stength of Israel - and the Jews of the world - whether economically or politically that will protect us and our future generations.

(59)
ShmueL,
December 31, 2006 6:50 PM

being a part of the salvation

i want to be part of the salvation of the nation of Israel, therefore i will take it upon myself to learn more every night before i go to sleep. Thank you for the wake up call.

(58)
Howie Subnick,
December 31, 2006 6:20 PM

The first kick wins the fight!

This is not the six day war. This is not a fight on the corner with a bunch of kids.THIS IS OUR EXISTANCE, OUR LAST STAND! Why can't people all over the world see what is happening? The murderous 9-11 incident will be nothing compared to what these terrorists plan, not only for Israel but for the United States! There is no talking to those, who from birth, have been taught and trained to eliminate Israel and the United States.We, the people of the United States and the people of Israel have been called infidels. Does this tell you something about the terrorists we are all up against? In order to conquer these kinds of people EVERYONE must unite. There can be no more waiting. There must be action! It has gone beyond talking! Prayer now, is for those who will be protecting us.

(57)
Sharon,
December 31, 2006 6:12 PM

My commitment

I commit to light Shabbos candles before sunset on Friday.

(56)
Samantha,
December 31, 2006 5:53 PM

I commit to

praying the shema prayer at least twice a day with total concentration...

(55)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 5:52 PM

I commit to reduce, if not eliminate lashon hara on a daily basis.

(54)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 5:42 PM

DON'T WAIT FOR GOD TO ACT.

DON'T WAIT FOR GOD. WAITING DID NOT HELP DURING THE HITLER MURDERS. STRIKE FIRST AND SOON - BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.

(53)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 5:34 PM

i undertake to light the shabbat candles every week when I am at home.(ie not travelling or staying elsewhere)

As I participate in programs that contribute to the lives of young people,teens and their families, I am not always in a position to do this. (obviously I am not religious however I do have strong spiritual beliefs and commitments). I will endeavour to make this work when in these programs but I know what I can commit to is lighting the Shabbat Candles when I am home.

(52)
Esteban Cafe,
December 31, 2006 5:32 PM

Let us focus on the spiritual...

...and the military response will take care of itself. We can make spritual changes in ourselves that our government cannot; they can manage military matters that we cannot. I will speak well of others and demonstrably show love to my fellow man.

(51)
Arie,
December 31, 2006 5:21 PM

learning torah & kepping kosher

For the last 6 month I have been learning torah 1 time a week. I now keep a kosher house and only eat dairy outside the house. I am trying to get closer with G-d and follow his comandments.

(50)
Meir,
December 31, 2006 5:10 PM

Very impressive

I think if we will collectively do teshuve this time Moshiach will be revealed. In my opinion Iran seems to be the last test before Dedemption. As you have written one of the most important mitzvas is "To stop putting down groups of Jews, no matter how much you disagree with their ways." It is exactly what is helening now. The real enemy is in our hearts. We all are sitting in the same boat waitung for geula.

(49)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 5:07 PM

Great article, my commitment.

This is a great article. We need more thinking people like you. We have to get ready for whoever threaten to destroy Israel. I'll e-mail this article to friends. And, not the least, we must pray to the Almighty and rest assure that no matter what they do, they won't be able to stand against Israel. Let's all have faith in the power of the Almighty God and be prepared!

(48)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 4:48 PM

I undertake to thank G-d specifically for one thing every day.

(47)
Kurt,
December 31, 2006 4:46 PM

Iran

I agree with this article and that in times like these all people of faith should be on their knees in prayer to the G-d of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Ialso believe that this same G-d created both heaven and earth and, although, we are given freewill, he still controls the lives of men and nation.Iran does need to have its nuclear program destroyed. I don't know what the U.S. and Isreal are waiting for as negotiations are a fools game with mass murders. But, Ezikel Chapters 38-39 talks Gog and Magog, with Persia (Iran and maybe Iraq) and their Arab allies attacking Isreal. Again see Pslams 83 and the minor prophets. G-d says that all the nations of the world will forsake Isreal. Yet, G-d promises to go forth as in the day of battle and personally protect Isreal,destroying Isreal's enemys, whether or not at the time, the current irresponsible leadership is still in power.

The Isreali and Jewish people, chosen by G-d and the apple of his eye are in the best hands possible.

That does not mean that people and nations should not do what is right and fight the evil in the world, it just means when men and nations (allies) fail us, their is one in heaven who is always faithful. He has promised Isreal and the Jewish people a bright future and he has never broken a promise. I wish it were not true, but it was long ago prophecied that all nations would abandon Isreal in their time of greatest need and even attempt to destroy her. Exactly as this pact with hell called the Roadmap and Land for Peace. Even in the natural world one wonders what these so called leaders of the world were thinking when they came up with these plans and especially what the leaders in Isreal are thinking. ONe can only surmise that they are desperete for peace at any price. Thinking that they will be treated just like any other people who desire peace. Unfortunately, as history has taught us, peace with murders can only be delayed not stopped until the murders and the means they seek to use to destroy others are destroyed.

Don't look to men or nations to protect you, look to the one who is true and faithful and has promised to protect his people Isreal, and who fortunately does not just do good and show mercy to us because of who we are or what we do-as humans we all fall far short of deserving much help-but who has promised that he has it all under control, especialy when the world seems so out of control.

In closing, I keep my Jewish and Isreali friends in my prayers, knowing they are safe in G-d's hands.

(46)
Brad Todd,
December 31, 2006 4:32 PM

You are not alone!

As a committed Christian I want you to know that Israel is not alone. There are many Christians is the US that pray for Israel each day. We serve the same God and he has instructed us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalms 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee."

You are absolutely correct, prayer changes things but it does take commitment. How different and how much safer the world would be if both America and Israel were to draw much closer to God. With God all things are possible, even stopping a madman like Ahmadinejad and the Islamofacists!

Peace, God bless you and Israel

(45)
SAM,
December 31, 2006 3:20 PM

great article

WELL DONE.MUCH.HOWEVER THE FACT THAT AT THE MOMENT MILITARY EXHAUSTION HAS SET IN.WE NEEDTO WAKE UPTO FIX GAZA,JUDEAANDSAMAMARIA AS WELL AS HIZBOLLA ONCE AND FOR ALL AND GET RID OF THE IRAN THREAT...ALL WITH HASHEMS HELP

(44)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 3:17 PM

Being an American teenager who doesn't read the newspapers or listen to the radio, I had no idea of the threat of a nuclear bomb. So my first thought while reading your article was: Oh my gosh! And my second thought, embarassing and self-centered though it is, was How far can a nuclear bomb reach? Could it hit us here in America?

What a scary, scary idea. I was genuinely frightened.

And then I read on, and your words comforted me. It's so easy. The only One who can change any situation is Hashem. So we have to go straight to Him, if we want to do anything about this.

What a beautifully written and inspiring article!

I have undertaken to not answer back or speak chutzpadikly to my parents for one hour a day, between 5 and 6 p.m.

Thank you.

(43)
Leib Yaacov,
December 31, 2006 2:52 PM

My commitment

I undertake to try to spend one-on-one time with my live-at-home kids each week. [The mitzva to love your friend as yourself]

(42)
Daniel,
December 31, 2006 2:52 PM

Our only hope

The God of Israel vs the god of Islam.It is fascinating to consider that the fight over the land of Israel is religiously motivated and therefore has a spiritual dimension. The Muslim world recognizes that while Israel exists she (Israel) represents an insult to the teachings of the Koran and Allah. There is no negotiation with Islamic fanatics for either the religion of Allah will prevail and prove itself true or it will fall and be proven a lie. There never and can ever be peace with Israel while Islam exists. Islam must return the religion of Allah to Israel!This is a frightening time as Islam with the "blessing of Allah", prepares for war, develops nuclear weapons and speaks of destroying Israel. Israel is surrounded by enemies dedicated to her destruction, there is no hope apart from the God of Israel. This is a spiritual battle between light and darkness, truth and a lie. Only the God of Israel can protect his people and his land. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.Zechariah 12:1-10

(41)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 2:35 PM

I undertake to wake up early to pray without having to rush.

(40)
david,
December 31, 2006 2:21 PM

good article

(39)
Adam,
December 31, 2006 1:44 PM

Grace After Meals

Will try and say the grace after meal after every meal, thanking G-d for the bounty he has provided us.

(38)
Hadassah,
December 31, 2006 1:33 PM

Speech

I undertake to be more careful of what comes out of my mouth-to think before I speak.

(37)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 1:28 PM

i undertake to make time to pray every day.

(36)
Celestia Grossman,
December 31, 2006 1:18 PM

Sara Riglers history and writing is very interesting

(35)
Ilya,
December 31, 2006 12:52 PM

My action

I will either attain a lecture or learn Torah for at least one hour a week, which I have never done willingly.

(34)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 12:43 PM

Better Late than Never?

I have undertaken to sleep on the floor,and not on the bed.I already started before reading this article,about four days ago.

(33)
Mary,
December 31, 2006 12:20 PM

Difficult

The first suggestion is very difficult considering that Union of Progressive Zionism is new and putting on programs across US campuses called Breaking the Silence with the support of the ICC: Israel on Campus Coalition which was created to promote a positive view of Israel and is sliding down the hole of supporting programs that hurt the perception of Israel on campuses and therefore hurting the Jewish students attending the campuses.

(32)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 12:16 PM

new commitment

will IY"H Bli Neder go to more shiruim(At least one more a week)

(31)
Mago Amiga,
December 31, 2006 12:10 PM

Act but be afraid only from G-d.

I think it is an excelent article moving us to do something. Please consider that your live, the lives of your children and the lives of all of us depend only from G-d. Im nobody to tell you how you should feel, doomed or not by Iran, but I think all of you were sealed for life in Rosh Hashana. An evil person could do much harm but a good person could do even more good. May Hashem continue His Blessing upon you to continue your labor of goodness.

(30)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 12:03 PM

Mitzvah to undertake.

Daily morning minyan. (Blee neder).

(29)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 11:51 AM

Prayer didn't work in 41 and wont work now.Only power works.

If some one says that they will kill you,believe them..BUT, Prpare to kill the SOB first if you have the chance.....

(28)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 11:39 AM

I plan to increase torah study and to encourge family members to do the same

(27)
Uriela Sagiv,
December 31, 2006 11:39 AM

Hits you right between the eyes

This article hits you right between the eyes. Absolutely superb.

I commit to add one more Torah class to my weekly calendar (R'Heller's -- because it inspires me to do so many other mitzvot. )

(26)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 11:23 AM

B"N kabbalah regarding Krias SHema al ha Mitah

Bli Neder, I will iy"H say Krias Shema al Hamita standing up or at least sitting up in bed in order to increase my awareness of Shivisi H-ahem l'negdi Tamid.

(25)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 11:22 AM

my commitment

I will increase my shabbat attendance at temple with my spouse and children effective immediately.

(24)
Yosef,
December 31, 2006 11:22 AM

listen to a shiur at least once a week but try everyday

(23)
Anthony Marino,
December 31, 2006 11:21 AM

With God All Things are Possible

Ms. Rigler has it absolutely right. Devotion to God, and acknowledgement that he is our salvation is absolutely necessary if the people of Israel, and other decent people, are to be saved from the evil ones in Iran and their cohorts around the world. Ultimately, action in accordance with the physical world will be necessary, but if we love God and acknowledge Him, He will help us to make the proper decisions regarding those actions.

(22)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 10:57 AM

Bein adam l'chaveiro

I undertake a commitment to prevent myself from inciting arguments with my sister. [mitzvah of loving one's neighbor]

(21)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 10:47 AM

Tshuva

A very powerful and thought-provoking article, which I intend to translate into action too! We can all gain from such wisdom. Just one concern.......where does this thinking stand vis-a-vis the Shoah itself. Is there as suggestion that wholescale tshuva could have averted the Holocaust, or is that in a different league altogether? This is something that many people ask.

Thanks again for the brilliant article.

(20)
Monique,
December 31, 2006 10:37 AM

Fantastic!

We are being complacent here in the UK and it is very much the same attitude as 1930's Germany that this is not real and won't happen. The rest of the world including the UK is not listening! We need to listen now! I'm sending this on.

(19)
Wayne,
December 31, 2006 10:26 AM

what to do

The first suggestion listed was this one:To stop putting down groups of Jews, no matter how much you disagree with their ways. [mitzvah of not speaking lashon hara] For my part, I will seek out more opportunities to be involved in my local Jewish community.

(18)
Jeffrey A. Pomykala,
December 31, 2006 10:17 AM

Truth

Sara is 100% accurate in the above article...and I truly love how she also added her own commentary for her mitzvah, as her request for us all to do.

1) There IS a huge and growing danger in the world - Islamofascism

2) First and foremost we ALL need to turn to Hashem. If you can't see this as being your first priority in life, then you need to re-read this article and understand your religion better. Tshuvah - it's imperitive. What's funny/sad is that it's not something we should only do because there is a very real and mortal danger to our peoples ~ it's really just something we should do every day - for our own individual betterment! Let alone for the very survival of our people....

For you Christians, this means "repenting" - turning completely from your sins, in deep soul-searching and contemplation of G-d, turning to Him with your entire being, and changing yourself for the better. After all, your book does state that times will be like we see today, and that it's "because of your iniquities (sins - disobediance to G-d) the love of many will wane". I have seen many American Christians, living their lives like children jumping up and down on the bed, hand in the cookie jar, saying "Grace of G-d! Grace of G-d!" ~ and then wondering why the bed breaks and their teeth start rotting. Repent.

Tshuvah and repentance. It should be Isaac and John's first priority.

The only thing I would quibble on in this excellent, truthful and much needed article would be when Sara listed the 3 historical steps to take in times of trouble. The article stated them as:

1. Diplomacy 2. Military strategy 3. Spiritual response

Since some people might not see past the linear outline, [eg: step 1, then step 2, then step 3] instead of seeing it is really a three-pronged "step", doing all three things at once, I would have listed the "Spiritual response" first. I know, I know, extremely small quibble ~ but I had to find something in your excellent article! ;-)

My mitzvah:: To stop bouncing on the bed and to take my hand out of the cookie jar. Tshuvah/repentance. To learn torah (Torah/Talmud - not O.T.) - To seek Hashem with my full being, and to walk as He would have me walk.

May there be true peace in Israel....soon.

(17)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 10:04 AM

Thank you

I'm going to try to speak with more gentleness to my children.

(16)
jerry reich,
December 31, 2006 9:52 AM

Easier said than done

An anagram is akin to a Gematria. Even in English we can find deep meaning. The names of the wicked need Drisha. I.E. ahmadinajad=adj. aid haman. Adjective aid haman.The original purim instigators name is present in todays instigator perhaps to remind us that God wants the same teshuva response from us as from our forefathers in ancient Persia.I take exception with some of your suggestions. Making peace with an estranged relative or friend? Friends may come and go but enemies accumulate. Note that even Yosefs brothers did not search for Yosef on their own till a famine forced them to buy food in Egypt. The offending party must make the first overture! The Torah has a mitzva of divorce when a couple just can't get along. In many cases separation is what maintains the peace. Its always bothered me that the megila doesn't disclose the Jewish casualty figure along side with the antisemitic death toll.Probably not to dampen the sence of victory.As thrilling as the redemption from Egypt was, the commentators say four fifths of the Jews died in the plage of darkness. More casualties are for forcasted in the current conflict. The teshuva of individuals is not the same as Communal Teshuva. In a sense you are preaching to the faithfull when you publish this article on aish.com.Try getting this material published in jerusalem post, Idiot Achronot, Haaratz etc.You wrote a Good article even if Olmert ignores the present kassam & impending iran nuclear missle attack.

(15)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 9:52 AM

outstanding article-I will try to say every bracha outloud whether alone or in the presence of others

(14)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 9:41 AM

Recognizing the good in my life

I undertake to see the good in my family life; the beautiful children and the devoted wife that the Almighty has granted me. I also commit to enlarge the circle and try to see the positive in every person that I can come across.

(13)
Gerard-Jan Vinkesteijn,
December 31, 2006 9:17 AM

i pray for mercy

(12)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 8:50 AM

Undertaking

I undertake to daven Maariv every night before I go to bed... and to be sure to do one extra unrequested favor for my wife every day.

(11)
Joe R.,
December 31, 2006 8:27 AM

When your back is to the wall, and your enemy is about to pull the trigger, you defend your self first then worry what will be said after. In this time finger pointing and reprisal is the problem if your still around to hear it. I think they call it survival.

(10)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 8:17 AM

time to do something!!

Not being Jewish I have no idea of your religious traditions mentioned. But I do know that all people need to consult & talk to our Father in Heaven otherwise we will be lost. I do believe that He expects us to use the brains and common sense He provided us with. This does not include providing our necks to the enemy to be lopped off. I usually keep silent about these things here at home because no one wants to hear, but I truly believe Israel is in terrible trouble & this worries me greatly. I read of how your leaders are giving up more and more in order to try to find peace. History has proven that this tactic is taken as a weakness by those who would do you harm.The yanks are looking for a way to save face and get out of the occupation situation they are in and to me seem willing to sacrifice Israel if need be.As a matter of fact there are not many major countries in the world today that do not see Israel as a problem and fail to see it as a symptom not the true cause of the problem. Call an election or whatever you have to do before its to late. As many times before, you have been abandoned and much to our shame, seem to be on your own again. Only using your wits and a great amount of help and insight provided by God will you survive yet another test. How many times in history has a nation as small as yours had another more powerful nation or force try to wipe it from the face of the earth and yet against all logic & odds managed to survive?? It is obvious to me that you have had the ultimate of all forces on your side. I am but one voice but surely others are out there that are of the same mind. We all should remember that 'So goes Israel, So goes the World'.

Good Luck & God BlessRegards,

Wayne

(9)
Bob Reid,
December 31, 2006 8:16 AM

We must hang together

The coming together of all of the various factions in Israel is great in theory..

Some of the disagreements between these tribes will never heal, stubbornness prevails.. We must count on our leaders to find a solution to counter Islamic nuclear attack of the Jewish State.

Present to the world the Historical evidence that Jews are entitled to Israel and the history of Jews occupying the lands then pushed out by various groups over the ages.

Our enemies are screaming the Holocaust alone is getting stale as justification for the State of Israel. We must convince the average person in the world this is a lie! .. To quote Hitler, "Tell a lie enough times and the world will soon believe it". This is happening again before our very eyes.

We must stand up for today as well as yesterday.

As Benjamin Franklin once said " We must hang together or we shall hang separately"We know where the culprits are, take advantage of this knowledge before is it too late!

First strike the Iranian nuclear facilities..It worked before, it will work again..show them we are hanging together and are not indecisive .

(8)
Michael,
December 31, 2006 7:48 AM

No more Holocausts

Iran must be stopped militarily. The danger is real and as Jews we must do everything to support our fellow Jews in Israel. Prayer and teshuva are entirely appropriate but please Ms Rigler do not desecrate the name of he victims of the Shoah by implying that their spritiual weakness was the cause of their destruction. There was more Torah learning in prewar Poland than perhaps ever before in or history.

The call for prayer to the almighty is just fine..but prayer i'm afraid has failed us Jews before (where was G-D during Holocaust?) Less talk about what to do...why give those that we must wage war against time to prepare?

(4)
Anonymous,
December 31, 2006 7:02 AM

priceless!

This article is perfect on 2 levels........the details are very real & current....year 2007 AND on the other level, spiritual, its also so real, but so often forgotten! The author MUST send this article to The Jewish Press, The Yeted Naaiman, The Jewish Week, etc. It has to be screamed at every Jew! Even if we won't/can't join an army...we can ALL do our part in a Judiasm sense! It seems so simple, but the effects echo through time! As the author suggested....do one thing! It will better all of Israel & as a bonous, ourselves as well!

(3)
Jack,
December 31, 2006 4:58 AM

I'm going to try to...

... send this article, and at least one Aish.com article a week to a friend or family member that i think might be inspired by it.

(2)
Sarah,
December 31, 2006 4:27 AM

My own commitment

I'll really try to express gratitude to someone (either a person or G-d) once a day. That will focus me on the positive and help to recognize good in everyone.

(1)
Sara Yoheved Rigler,
December 31, 2006 2:31 AM

My Commitment

I undertake to speak well about someone every day. [mitzvah of loving one's neighbor]

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

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